The Caldwell Boys Soccer Team is hoping they can succeed in their season this fall. The team consists of 16 seniors and 4 juniors that have been working incredibly hard during the summer all the way up until now. Their team chemistry is high and every single player’s morale is through the roof. The team knows what they are capable of and they know what they must do in order to win. Their most recent win came against Nutley with a thrilling score of 2 – 1. Currently, they have an Essex county record of 5-6 but continue to preserve and boost the record of the squad. Coach Martin Rodriguez and Assistant Coach Jimmy Phillips both have a positive attitude about this year’s season and believe our 2023 team can make a run in the upcoming State Tournament. The team just had a heartbreaking loss in the Essex County Tournament versus Barringer but they will keep their heads up, and hope to play better from here on out.

Coach Martin Rodriguez had this to say about the team this year, “I think the team is great. The team definitely has a lot of camaraderie and they love to be around each other. They are a good group of guys who not only support each other on the field but off the field as well. There is a lot of good hard work from this group as well and this was the only year I have had a reason to invite the team to my house. The team recently has been giving off a bunch of rollercoaster rides of emotions. The last four games have been up and down, win, loss, win loss, we just know we have to become consistent going into the second half of the season. There’s a lot to take in, a lot of feedback, things that we can improve upon, but also great things happening out there that we can improve upon.”  Mr. Rodriguez also had some comments about how they can match up in the Essex County Tournament coming up, “On any given day it could be anyone’s game. But, I do like our odds.” The boys just hope to keep on improving everyday and will continue to have a winning mentality from here on out.

Senior Caelan Cook, current starting center back of the squad, had some words about the boys and how they might stand in the State Tournament, “I think the team is good. Our only problem is the injuries. We have had so many injuries with Jay, Brodie, and Rob that it’s hard to say how good we truly could have been. Besides the injuries however, we are playing well and we are a solid team. For us, it is difficult to make a huge statement in the State Tournament because of powerhouse schools like Bernards and Hackettstown. But, who knows what will happen. One day we might play like Barcelona and beat a powerhouse school so we shouldn’t be counted out early.” Cook is hoping for this squad to play well for the remainder of the season, and he will continue to keep manning this defensive back line.

Joe Giannetta is having a standout year for the Chiefs currently having 5 goals and 1 assist. He wanted to add this about his performances and the team’s future this season, “I don’t know everything kinda just clicks for me. I set high expectations for myself and I try my best to give everything I have on the field. I think our team is great. We have good team chemistry and we all dream big. I know our team is capable of exceeding everyone’s expectations and I am hoping we can deliver every game and practice.” Giannetta will continue to be a workhorse for this Chief offense and we hope to see him excel even higher for the remainder of the season.