The North Arlington boys’ soccer team has been practicing enthusiastically all summer long. Knowing that it won’t be an easy season, Coach Jesse Dembowski is prepared for the challenge. Coming out to the season with only six varsity returners, Coach Dembowski worked all summer long with our new varsity players to get them prepared for the first week of the season. In the Kearny boys soccer summer league, the Vikings had a successful run of a 5-1-1 record. “With a successful preseason, winning leagues and advancing in future barracks in states is our necessity and there is no reason why we can’t win” stated Coach Dembowski.
The Vikings had a very strong season opener. Winning the game 5-1 against Lyndhurst, the boys had their first start to a positive season. Tyler Krychkowski scored 9 goals in the first week of the season and is capable of having the school record for most goals in a season.
Having key players in all aspects of the field is the strong point of this Viking soccer team. Captains, like Jon Gonzalez, Rob Marrero and Tyler Krychkowski, help lead younger players in the midfield and defense. Senior Jordan Henriques and junior John Cerisola are also very important in controlling and motivating the defense. Bringing up new varsity players to the defense, such as Justin Cerisola, Matt Glarner, James Awad and Nelson Marques, is proving to be a good strategy especially since they are all working diligently to fulfill their rightful positions.
“Although we are a young team, they work very well together, making the first few games easy victories” Dembowski stated. Sophomore Danny Cordeiro is also a pivotal player, “Distributing balls out to our players is his job and he does it very well” senior captain Jon Gonzalez stated. Having already 5 assists this season; Danny Cordeiro’s game will only get better.
The Vikings have two returning starting midfielders: Jon Gonzalez and Danny Cordeiro. First year varsity players, such as freshman Jose Ruiz, sophomores Derek Perez and Patrick-James Sirotiak along with junior Chris Freitas, have all contributed greatly to the team. “The midfield is doing very well moving the ball and having great communication with each other” senior captain Tyler Krychkowski stated. The midfield has improved a lot since the beginning of the summer and has come a long way.
Kevin Goffredo has earned his first shutout against Secaucus winning 4-0. Starting for the first few games, he’s done a phenomenal job for the Vikings and has really worked hard to fill in for senior captain Robert Marrero. Since Marrero is back in goalie and is working hard to get back in soccer form, Kevin Goffredo will be playing midfield striker for the Vikings. Senior captain Robert Marrero is hoping to have a shutout in every game this year and will protect his goal to make sure nothing goes in.
The North Arlington boys’ soccer team has been practicing very intensely. Having a record of 2-3, the Vikings will continue to push forward and improve their record into a state qualifying team. A long season awaits the Vikings and they are ready to compete with the rest of the teams in the division.