OVERVIEW
Continuity in high school sports is always a challenge. As soon as a coach has eventually molded a team to his liking, it gets uprooted as seniors head off to college.
Such is the case with the l boys soccer team. Just one year after challenging for a state title-a challenge that proved just a bit too difficult as they fell to Glenrock High, 2-0-head coach Nick Stokes prepares for the 2011 campaign with some of his top players from last season away at college, leaving him with an inexperienced roster and any guess what the season will bring.
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This season, the KHS team flaunts just four key players returning from last season's successful campaign. But with uncertainty comes a bit of comfort, as the team knows what they will have to do to remain a successful program.
“It’s hard to replace what we lost, but if we play as a team, pass the ball around, and keep it on the ground, we should see some good results,” junior captain Brian Canning said.
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LAST SEASON’S RESULTS:
The 2010 varsity team finished with a record of 14-4-2 and reached the North Jersey Section 1, Group 2 state tournament finals, falling to Glenrock High, 2-0.
LOOK OUT FOR:
Paul DeFeo: Goalkeeper (Sr.) – DeFeo, one of the few returning starters will take on the role of team leader in 2011 as he is one of four Kinnelon captains. With a young defensive unit, DeFeo will be counted on to direct his team and come up with some big saves.
Greg Budd: Right Wing (Sr.)- Budd will be counted on to help a young up and coming offense gel after losing a number of key players from last season.
Brian Canning: Center back (Jr.) – As a junior captain, Canning will help direct an inexperienced backline in 2011.
WHO’S GONE:
Brian Gallego: The standout midfielder was a key to Kinnelon’s success last season. He’s now playing for Akron University, ranked No. 1 team in the nation.
Matt Jenne: Another star midfielder for Kinnelon, Jenne holds the all-time goal record for KHS soccer with 21.
Brian Costello, A top defender at KHS last season, Costello helped anchor a backline that made a run at the state final.
COACH’S TAKE:
“We’ve completely rebuilded. We graduated all of our really good players from last year [including] our top goal scorer, an international player, and some other very good seniors. It’s a very small, very young team, so we’ll see. Hopefully they’ll be able to stay competitive. That’s the goal.” – Coach Stokes
THEY SAID IT:
“We’re just trying to get the basics down and get a rhythm and a flow with our play, because we’re not used to playing with each other.” – Budd
“It’s going to be a little different then in past years. I think it’s definitely going to be a rebuilding year. We have a young team, and hopefully everyone comes together and we should be good to go.” – Canning
