After posting a 15-7 record last season and falling in the Hudson County Tournament semifinals to eventual champion Kearny in overtime, St. Peter’s Prep head soccer coach Josh Jantas had higher expectations for the 2011 season.
“We had a really good group back from last year,” said Jantas, who entered the fourth season as head coach at his alma mater. “We talked about doing more this year, going further in the county and state playoffs. We let some games slip away from us last year, games that we really could have won and would have improved our chances. So we decided to concentrate on each individual game this year so we could get good seeds in the county and state playoffs.”
The approach has definitely paid dividends, because the Marauders have exploded out to one of their best starts in recent memory. They won their first seven games before falling, 3-2, once again to Kearny, and they currently own an impressive 8-1 record.
“It’s definitely one of the best starts we’ve had,” said Jantas, who was the head coach at Secaucus before heading back to his alma mater four years ago.
There’s a major reason for the Marauders’ success.
For one, there is talent on the roster. So much so that two NCAA Division I programs have offered Marauders scholarships for next season.
Goalkeeper Ryan Baird, who has already posted three shutouts this season and has allowed just seven goals in eight games, has already signed on to play next season at Rutgers.
Midfielder Rory Duffy, who has been a mainstay in the midfield for the Marauders for the last three seasons, has earned a scholarship to Rider University.
It’s been a long time since the Marauders produced two Division I products on the same soccer team.
“It’s pretty special,” Jantas said. “We honestly have a chance to have even more. I think we have what the Division I schools are looking for. Ryan and Rory definitely warrant the attention they have been receiving. They are both skillful players who have earned their right to play at the next level. They play the game of soccer the right way.”
It says a lot when a team has two Division I soccer players. Some programs go years without getting a single one. The Marauders have two on the same team. It’s pretty impressive.
The other reason for the team’s success is the offensive diversity the Marauders possess. There’s not just one go-to goal scorer. The team definitely spreads the wealth.
“We have a number of people who can attack and score,” Jantas said. “We have a lot of talented attacking players. It’s probably one of our biggest strengths. It’s a nice thing, because the opposition cannot key on just one guy. We can have a different guy be our leading goal scorer on any given game. Whoever gets the chance to score will score. It’s a blessing to have that.”
Sophomore forward Ajani Phillips is once again the Marauders’ leading scorer. The talented and skilled Phillips exploded onto the scene last year as a freshman and scored 14 goals.
“He came in and became the main attack option,” Jantas said. “He responded well and shouldered the big load in big games. Having him back and picking up where he left off last year has been a plus.”
Phillips has scored seven goals thus far this season.
Another key contributor is another sophomore in midfielder Juan Gomez, who has five goals and four assists.
“Juan saw a lot of minutes last year and he has really stepped up this year,” Jantas said. “He plays the central role in developing the attack.”
Duffy, who plays the left midfield slot, has seven goals and three assists.
Junior forward Andrew Romero has found the net six times, so there is no true leading scorer among the Marauders and makes them very difficult to defend.
Baird has been a mainstay in goal. He bounced back and forth between goalkeeper and defender last year, but now he’s entrenched in the nets.
The main defender is senior Roberto Chernez, who was one of the top defenders in the county last year. Seniors Dean Rivers and Anthony Gomes and junior Dan Mahler anchor the Marauders’ back line.
Duffy and Gomez are joined in the midfield by senior Matt Prieto and junior Rob Capone.
Phillips and Romero are the Marauders’ two forwards.
Jantas likes the way his team has been playing, but there are lofty goals in sight.
“Our goal from the beginning this year was to win the county and the state,” Jantas said. “I know that’s asking a lot, but that was our goal. I’m very excited about the quick start. Because of it, we’re going to have the opportunity to have home games in the county and state playoffs and that’s a big difference when you want to advance.”
The Marauders are certainly moving forward and are one of the teams to beat in the Hudson County Tournament upcoming later this month. State-ranked teams like undefeated Harrison and Kearny are in the way, but the Marauders feel like they belong with the best.
The early season start certainly proves that.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.
You can also read Jim’s blog at www.jimhaguesports.blogspot.com.