10/3/2012 - H/W/S Soccer Set To Start
Pope John’s boys and girls soccer teams were awarded the top seeds from Sussex for the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex soccer tournament for the first time ever.
But the similarities between the two clubs does not stop there and those parallels have both squads looking to make deep runs in the upcoming tournament which gets under way with preliminary round action Thursday, Oct. 4.
First-round action is set for Saturday, Oct. 6 and the tourney then will play out the next two Saturdays before both finals are contested at Hunterdon Central on Oct. 27.
What strikes me as similar between the two PJ teams is how they play and the makeup of the squad.
Neither team has a top-scoring stud that needs constant defensive attention, but they sport a very deep and talented group that spreads the wealth on both offense and defense.
And that is no coincidence due to the fact that PJ boys coach Brad Cameron cut his coaching teeth as an assistant coach to PJ girls coach Ryan Barbulescu.
Barbulescu is the most winningest coach in the Mugs Media area over the last seven years, but the veteran mentor has not won a title since the Sussex County Interscholastic League broke up.
This year’s team has the look of a champ and the Lions (7-2) are on top of the NJAC American Division at the halfway point with a 7-0 record.
Freshman Rebecca Frisk has emerged as a threat but veterans Isabella Marra, Melissa Scarpone, Ally Bolger, Alex Magill and keeper Victoria Stecky all have been outstanding this season.
The Lions own an impressive 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Sparta (7-3) and the rematch in a couple of weeks at Sparta may decide the division.
The PJ boys (7-2-1) are also in the hunt in the American Division with a 6-1-1 record and the Lions have a huge showdown with first-place Morris Hills (7-0-1) on Thursday. The Scarlet Knights topped the Lions 3-0 in their first meeting.
The Lions have been paced by their well-balanced attack but Davis Stoner, Rob McKinley, Gabe El-Ghandour, Brandon Schultz, Garrett Abbey, Brian McNamara and keeper Stephen Goliembeski lead the way.
Okay, so what do I think of the tournament?
We will start with the boys. Yes, PJ is the top seed from Sussex but it needed a 2-1 overtime win over Newton to get it.
The Braves (8-3) advanced to the final last year before losing to Delaware Valley in a snowstorm at Hackettstown. Andy Weber is the best around and Brett Conrads, T.J. Chrustic, Brady Castle, Ryan Brewster, Ryan Cronin, a healthy Leo Recalde and goalie Kyle Morel make the Braves, the No. 2 seed, very dangerous.
Pete DeMartini’s gang at Kittatinny is 6-3-1 and is also very dangerous in a one-and-done situation. Alex Fainis is having a big year as is Carson O’Neill. When healthy, Brendan McNamee is a special talent on the pitch.
Despite their records, Vernon and Sparta will also be tough outs if teams from H/W take them lightly. In fact PJ could see Sparta if the Spartans knock off Belvidere in the prelims.
On the H/W side Hackettstown (8-0-1) under veteran coach Gary Thomas is off to a flying start and is the No. 2 seed after Hunterdon Central (7-1). Hackettstown could face No. 3 Kittatinny in the semifinals, the team that tied the Tigers.
But when it is all said and done I have a feeling we will see the tourney play out with HC and PJ playing in the final with HC, due to homefield advantage, winning a thriller.
The girls side will also be ultra-competitive. As we mentioned Sparta is s a big threat with Jamie Delaney, Tayler Bramley, and keeper Melissa Barry.
Newton (6-4-1) is young and has a puncher’s chance with high-scoring Alyssa Cronin and a talented supporting cast. While Dan Moylan over at Lenape Valley has the Pats rolling at 7-1-3 with Molly Byrne, Lindsay Sabo, Marissa Nicol and top-notch goalie Steph Gallego leading the way.
In H/W, don’t’ be fooled by the records of Hunterdon Central (6-4) and North Hunterdon (4-4). The two large schools play a very tough schedule and are capable of winning it all.
And barring a run for the ages, a very young High Point (1-8-1) squad will not defend its title and win its third crown in the last four years, so we will have a new champ.
Who will it be?
This is the year the Lions get back on top and Pope John tops HC in PKs to win it.
That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.
HUNTERDON/WARREN/SUSSEX BOYS SOCCER TOURNAMENT
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Thursday, October 4
9A-Warren Hills at 8B-Hopatcong
9B-Sparta at 8A-Belvidere
10A-South Hunterdon at 7B-Sussex Tech
10B-Wallkill Valley at 7A-North Warren
FIRST ROUND, Saturday, October 6
9A-Warren Hills at 8B-Hopatcong, winner at 1A-Hunterdon Central; 5A-Phillipsburg at 4B-Vernon; 6B-High Point at 3A-North Hunterdon; 10B-Wallkill Valley at 7A-North Warren, winner at 2B-Newton; 10A-South Hunterdon at 7B-Sussex Tech, winner at 2A-Hackettstown; 6A-Delaware Valley at 3B-Kittatinny; 5B-Lenape Valley at 4A-Voorhees; 9B-Sparta at 8A-Belvidere, winner at 1B-Pope John.
HUNTERDON/WARREN/SUSSEX GIRLS SOCCER TOURNAMENT
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Thursday, October 4
(9) Delaware Valley at (8) High Point
(10) Hopatcong at (7) Voorhees
(9) Sussex Tech at (8) North Warren
FIRST ROUND, Saturday, October 6
Winner DelVal/High Point at (1) Hunterdon Central
Winner Hopatcong/Voorhees at (2) Sparta
Winner Sussex Tech/North Warren at (1) Pope John
(5) Belvidere at (4) LenapeValley
(6) Kittatinny at (3) Hackettstown
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