As the school year starts it marks a new year for the JCHS soccer team.  After a grueling pre-season that began in mid August and some pre-season scrimmages, the team looks ready to perform in this year’s regular season.  With new varsity call ups in the starting eleven, like sophomores Lorenzo Roselle, Troy Green, Jordan Bustamante, and John DiSimone, the Chiefs did not know what to expect at the start of the season.  With a 3-1 win at Vernon with a goal from junior Vini Leniar on a free kick.  Leniar described the situation as, “I had so many options, and I’m always making moves.” Junior Brennan Theimann and freshmen Alex Nicol also scored to propel the Chiefs to a hot start.  Even though the team could not carry the success through a 1-0 loss at Newark Academy, they were ready to perform in the next game.  With leadership from senior captains Cooper Milano and Sam Grossman, the Chiefs were able to earn a tough tie against a physical Nutley side.  The intensity carried over to a 4-0 win over rival Verona where Freshman Alex Nicol put up a hat-trick with three second half goals and Robbie Facella scored his first goal in his high school career.  The team also believes that the win was in part due to the Mohawks that were cut at the pasta party the night prior to the game.

The Chiefs then had to go on the road to play Columbia where Alex Nicol was able to capitalize on a free kick from Cooper Milano.  The Chiefs carried their momentum into the game against Science Park.  The Chiefs were able to win with two goals from Cooper Milano and another from Alex Nicol off an assist from Kenny Barone marking six goals in five games for the freshman.  All that, as well as a very solid performance by senior goalkeeper Colin Hill, created the opportunity for the Chiefs to win.  The team is hoping to repeat and do better than what they had accomplished last year.  The Chiefs are looking forward to a great season.  Cooper Milano said about the team, “We have a very young talented team.  Each and every day we strive to get better and to get ourselves one step closer to our goal.  We all work and play very well together which makes the team chemistry essential and key to our success.”