This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Coach: Boys Soccer Team Must 'Value Team Success'

Chatham boys soccer team has a strong core of players, but Coach Foca expects the others to step up.

Coming off back-to-back trips to the state sectional final, the Chatham boys soccer team is poised for yet another deep run in the state tournament.

One of the strengths for this year's squad is the solid core of returning players. The chemistry that the guys have built up the past few seasons will be imperative in moving the current team forward.

"This year we have a small core of players returning who have been playing together for a few seasons, they're excellent," said head coach Gene Foca. "We've got an excellent returning core and we feel that we have a very strong group of juniors and seniors. I think the players will compete in every game once the season starts. I have total belief in them and I think they have a chance for a special season, but there are challenges."

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One of those challenges will be replacing the six seniors from the 16-4-1 team from 2009, including Andres Vargas, one of the leading scorers in each of the last two seasons. However, captains Conor Goepel, Jack Eisenreich, Brian Ballard and Thomas Stephan are able and willing to lead the team in the right direction. Plus, Foca is confident that those four can help the team handle their business on the field and, once again, lead the Cougars to victory.

"They're all excellent players and leaders," said Foca. "Brian Schaefer will be important for us, as will Trip Burke, John Gildersleeve, Dylan Tencic, Conner McMahon, Nate Bard, Matt Proto and Mike Fox. We have a long list of hard-working role players, like Stephen Schroder, Max Pryor, Matt Byers, David Tobia, Andrew Stasiukevicius, Eric Mazelis...these are players who have really worked hard and have really been committed.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We're hoping for excellent, focused team play. I happen to think Conor Goepel is one of the best few players in the county."

Another challenge for the team will be the move to Group III play and the addition of a power point system used for seeding in the state tourney. The switch from Group II only effects postseason play, so Chatham is set to renew all of its greatest rivalries. Still, the seeding system might really throw a cog into the team's championship hopes.

"We have a schedule that includes some of the strongest teams in the county (including) Mendham, Delbarton and Montville," said Foca. "All of our conference games are important this year, partially due to the power point system, which could inadvertently put us at a disadvantage. Honestly, (our conference games are) all challenging."

The Cougars open their season on Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. with an away game at Whippany Park. After that, it won't be the players on the field that determine the team's success.

"We'll go as far as the players on the bench are willing to take us, they're the key to the season," said Foca. "The core will play just fine, the others have to value team success over personal achievement and that's hard for adults, let alone teens."

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?