Area high school boys soccer preview

Posted: September 8th 2023

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

The following is a look at each of the area’s boys soccer teams:

CAPE MAY TECH

After winning four games last season, Cape Tech starts the new season under a new coach in Mark Scarpa, a long time coach in the Cape Express youth program and previously the head girls coach at Wildwood.

The Hawks appear to have the most depth and experience in its back line, led by seniors Lucas Woolcock, Tyler Dille and Aiden Wolford. Another key senior is MF Zack Scarcelli.

Among the newcomers, sophomore MFs Alex Beal, Amine Cherifi and Dylan Wilson are expected to make the most impact.

LOWER CAPE MAY

Cristian Valenica, a former standout player at Lower, takes over as head coach for a Caper Tiger program that went 7-12 a season ago.

Lower will be led by senior MF Deron Azile, who scored 16 goals last fall after playing on the Dominica men’s U17 national team in the summer of 2022. Another top senior is B Matthew Riess.

Others expected to make an impact include seniors Eddie Fucci (F), and Connor Deignan (MF), juniors Chase Austin (F) Ryan Gibson (GK), sophomore John Montgomery (B) and freshmen Chris Duley (MF), Adam Marshall (MF) and Ismael Jimenez (B).

The Tigers open the season Saturday at Pleasantville.

MIDDLE TOWNSHIP

Middle Township enjoyed a regular-season to remember, then lost a handful of excruciating close games in various postseason events.

The Panthers lost top-flight talent Steve Berrodin and many other key players to graduation from last year’s senior-laden team. But there has been tremendous depth in Middle’s program over the past few seasons, so the team should still be extremely competitive as some of the younger players mature into increased roles.

Middle Township boys soccer seniors (from left) Tommy

Shagren, Alex Avila and Simon Hardin.

There is some scoring returning, behind senior MF Tommy Shagren (4 goals, 10 assists last season), junior Eddie Hirsch (7 goals) and sophomore MF Lucas Matthews (7 goals). Senior Simon Hardin (D) and juniors Joe Berrodin (B) and Colin Jastremski (F/MF) are also top returnees.

Others returning players expected to make an impact include senior Alex Avila (F), juniors Philip Woodrow (MF) and David Del Conte (B) and sophomores Miles Stafford (GK), Calvin Kiker (B), Sam Casterline (B), Josiel Lopez (MF/F), C.J. Heun (MF) and Kyle Pettit (F).

New players who could impact the varsity include juniors Logan Seger (MF) and Donnie Nelson (MF), sophomore Guilhereme Candid (MF) and freshmen Eben Marroquin De La Cruz (MF), Gavin Hirsch (F) and Kaius Sypalis (B).

After winning the Cape-Atlantic United Conference last season, Middle moves up to the deeper and tougher National Conference.

The Panthers dropped a 1-0 decision to Mainland in their opener Thursday. They face Bridgeton on the road Saturday.

Scott Kurkowski (third season) is Middle’s head coach.

WILDWOOD

Wildwood brings back a good group of players from a six-win team from a season ago and is seeking improvement.

Daniele Sanzone is among the senior leaders for the team. Other seniors include Jaxon Grauel, John Shoemaker, Erick Lara-Gil, Buddy Morey and Yovani Barrios-Morales. The Warriors have a talented junior class with experience featuring Gavin Burns (8 goals last season), Kelan Miller (5 goals in ‘22), Tyler Brown, Burke Fitzsimmons, R.J. Blanda and new goalkeeper Broc Denke.

A handful of other juniors and a combined eight freshmen and sophomores are also vying for time.

Wildwood showed its depth in its season opener on Thursday as five different players scored in a 6-0 win over Clayton – Burns tallied twice and Lara-Gil, Miller, Grauel and Barrios-Morales each added one.

Wildwood is scheduled to host Wildwood Catholic Saturday in the teams’ first meeting since the 2014 season.

The Warriors, who hope to finish among the top teams in the Tri-County Classic Division, are coached by Sal Zampirri (second season).

WILDWOOD CATHOLIC

The Crusaders struggled in more ways than one last season despite having one of the most prolific goal scorers in program history in Jimmy Kane, who graduated in the spring. Not only did the team win just one game last season but it also experienced numbers issues for much of the season, with a couple of games played without any substitutes available.

Turning to this fall, the program seems to be in a better place. More than 20 players are out for the team under new head coach Tommy Bolle, with many of them in the underclasses.

Juniors Chase Adams and Gonzolo Gonzales and sophomore Chris Papageorgiou are among the top returnees. Others with some varsity experience include seniors Charlie Dunner and Dom Arcuri, junior T.J. DiDonato and sophomores Brody Zuccarello, Peyton Rosenello, Jake Kurtz, Jacob Reigner and Evan Landis.

The top newcomers are talented freshman Nick Catanoso, sophomore Wildwood transfer Alex Daniel and junior Chase Critchfield. Critchfield won’t be eligible until early October under the NJSIAA rules in place at the time of his transfer from Wildwood.

Increased depth, a bit more experience and the influx of impact newcomers should help the Crusaders compete better this fall.

Wildwood Catholic was scheduled to open the season Thursday at Absegami but the game was postponed due to extreme heat. The Crusaders will face island rival Wildwood Saturday in the first meeting between the two programs since 2014.