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

Schools

Boys Soccer Looks to Build on Senior Leadership

Dodgers ran to surprise state semi-final appearance in 2010.

One year ago, the Madison High School boys soccer team was shocking fans with a late-season run that ended with a 2-0 loss to Bernards in the North II, Group 2 state tournament semifinals.

Fast forward one year later.

That Dodger group is back, flaunting continuity on the roster that a coach could only dream of.

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

With 22 seniors and 13 returning varsity players, this Madison team is extremely familiar with one another on the field, but there’s one new piece to this puzzle in the person of first-year head coach Frank Nunez.

“This is basically our freshman team, four years later,” senior captain Peter Willis said. “We have so much team chemistry and we’ve been playing together for so long, that I think it’s going to carry over and I think we’re going to have a successful season.”

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

Nunez, who has spent the past eight years with the Madison soccer program, succeeds head coach Gary Adair. His time spent in Madison over the years makes his transition to the varsity team an easy one.

“These guys are really talented,” Nunez said. “I’ve worked with them for eight years, so I pretty much know everyone real well and they know me really well. They came in, they’ve been dedicated and I’m extremely confident heading into the season.”

Although he’s made a seamless transition to the varsity program, Nunez has brought one big change with him. That change is a rigid conditioning mentality, as Nunez refuses to let his team run out of gas during a game.

“On thing you can do to separate the boys from the men is fitness tests and doing a lot of running,” he explained. “That’s one aspect of the game that we should never be weak at.”

And Nunez says that his Dodger squad has embraced that hardworking mentality.

“We’ve got three great leaders and everyone of those three kids wants to work,” Nunez said. “They want the sweat, they want the burn, they want someone to come in here pushing the envelope and pushing them another step farther. Those three guys [Dodger captains] have really done it, and the seniors have responded. Every kid has responded.”

LAST SEASON’S RESULTS:

The 2010 varsity finished with a record of 12-7 and reached the North II, Group 2 state tournament semifinals, losing to Bernards, 2-0.

LOOK OUT FOR:

Matt Gilbert, Goalkeeper (Sr.) – Gilbert has built a reputation as one of Morris County's best goalkeepers over the past three years. Look for the captain to continue the trend in 2011 with a stellar campaign.

Peter Willis, Defensive Center Midfielder (Sr.) – Willis, a captain, returns for his third year on the varsity. Playing the defensive center-mid position, look for Willis’ impact on the pitch to be a great one.

Danny Giraldo, Defensive Center Midfielder (Sr.) – The third Dodger captain in 2011, Giraldo returns for his third consecutive season with the varsity program. As a standout player in 2010, Giraldo’s skill and experience will be on display in 2011.

Vincent Bennet, Striker (Sr.) - Bennett was the Dodgers' leading scorer, racking up an impressive 10 goals in 2010. Look for that number to increase in 2011.

WHO’S GONE:

Jorge Hoyos: Hoyos was a senior captain in 2010, netting six of eight Dodger goals during the state playoff run.

Mike Lami: Another captain in 2010, Lami would regularly be heard talking up his team. His attitude and leadership will be missed in 2011. Lami is now attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

COACH’S TAKE:

“We’ve spent a lot of time stressing the importance of finishing and they’ve proven it so far. These kids, 22 seniors, they’ve all come in with one goal in mind and that’s to win. Win counties, win the conference and maybe even win a state championship, so they’ve come out focused and working hard.” – Coach Nunez

THEY SAID IT:

“We have a lot returning starters and lettermen so I think the experience is there and we just need to get back as a group and really get the chemistry going.”– Matt Gilbert

“I think the team's pretty strong. We have a few injuries, but as long as we can sort that out, I think our starting 11 will be more than strong enough to take on any team in our conference, and I think we’ll do well.”– Peter Willis

“We’re looking pretty solid. [Nunez] makes us work really hard physically and he’s just as excited as we are. We’re very confident and for the seniors, we know this is our last chance, so we’re really excited.” - Danny Giraldo


Date Time  Opponent  Tuesday, Sept. 13 4 p.m. @ Pequannock High School  Thursday, Sept. 15 4 p.m.
vs. Morris Catholic High School  Saturday, Sept. 17 9 a.m.
vs. Somerville  Monday, Sept. 19
4 p.m.
@ Chatham High School  Saturday, Sept. 24 10 a.m.
@ Governor Livingston  Tuesday, Sept. 27 4 p.m.
vs. Dover High School  Sunday, Oct. 2
4 p.m.
vs. TBA (Morris County Tournament
Monday, Oct. 3 TBD  vs. Parsippany High School  Thursday, Oct. 6 4 p.m.
vs. Hanover Park High School  Sunday, Oct. 9 TBD  TBA  (Morris County Tournament)
Tuesday, Oct. 11 4 p.m.
vs. Pequannock High School  Thursday, Oct. 13 4 p.m.
@ Morris Catholic High School  Sunday, Oct. 16 TBD  TBA (Morris County Tournament)
Monday, Oct. 17 4 p.m.
@ Hanover Park High School  Wednesday, Oct. 19 7 p.m.
vs. Chatham High School  Sunday, Oct. 23 TBD  TBA (Morris County Tournament)
Thursday, Oct. 27 4 p.m.
@ Dover High School  Saturday, Oct. 29 5:30 p.m.
TBA (Morris County Tournament)

 

LAST NAME FIRST NAME TEAM Grade Allan Matthew V 12 Benedikt Anton V 11 Bennett Vincent v 12 Bognanski Justin V 12 Clemente Michael v 12 Cosme Yorman V/J 9 Dark Connor V 11 Davidson Aaron V 12 DiRuggiero Matthew V 11 Duffy Rob V/J 11 Franklin Ryan V 12 Gilbert Matthew V 12 Giraldo Daniel V 12 Hauserman Matthew V 11 Hurst Jackson V 12 Iza Brian v 12 Lesham Raz v 11 Lombardi Andrew v 12 Martirano Tino V/J 11 Miller Jonathan V/J 9 Payne Billy V 12 Ramirez Chris V 12 Rogers Nick V 12 Schlesinger Tyhler V 12 Sharif Kayvon V 12 Stern Zach V/J 11 Stuhler Sam V 12 Thakuri Pradeep V 12 Whife Charlie V 12 Willis Peter V 12 Wynne Freddie V 12 Friebur Brandon V 12
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?