Vernon, High Point soccer teams set for season
Pre-season practices and scrimmages can be far from easy.
In fact they can be downright difficult for high school student-athletes, especially in the hot weather the area has experienced this summer. But, it certainly can pay off in both the short- and the long-term.
Two local boys' soccer programs, Vernon High School and High Point High School, are in search of success on the pitch this fall and both teams are willing to work diligently to make it happen.
The Vernon Vikings return a solid core of players from a team that finished with an overall record of 12-7-2 and gained an appearance in the NJSIAA North I Group IV sectional tournament (where they were defeated in the opening round by Passaic Valley) in 2014.
Those players include Cody Bartsch (senior, center back), Nik Polizos (junior, midfield), Eamon Logue (senior, goalkeeper), Destin Altunbilek (senior, midfield), Will Schlesswohl (senior, midfield), Tim Shine (senior, midfield) and Brendon Shine (senior, midfield).
Hugh Gardner (senior, midfield), Charlie Gardner (junior, forward), Parker Shade (junior, goal keeper/back) and Chris Ast (junior, forward) are among the key varsity newcomers for the Wildcats.
“The leaders are Cody Bartsch, Eamon Logue and Will Shiesswohl," Vernon head coach Joseph Jones said. “All three have the ability to rally the team on and off the field and set the benchmark for hard work and dedication."
The Vikings compete in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) American Division and they have a home match scheduled against Butler on Thursday, Sept. 10.
“We look to be very competitive in the conference as well as the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament this year," Jones said. “We also hope to advance in the (NJSIAA) State Tournament this year. We hope to compete for a championship this year in a very competitive division. All teams are dangerous in our division. Mount Olive and Sparta will be especially strong.’’
High PointHigh Point had a solid 2014 campaign, with an overall record of 9-7-3 and a berth in the NJSIAA North I Group II sectional tournament, where they lost in the quarterfinal round to Westwood.
Key returning players for the Wildcats this season include Ben Armstrong (senior), Garrett Fenlon (senior), Kristian Rokosny (senior), Brad Smolen (senior), Javier Vanegas (senior), Jake Malavet (junior), Korey Roman (junior), Dylan Watson (junior), Thomas Watts (junior), Sawyer Fenlon (sophomore), William Frye (sophomore), Jacob Sorensen (sophomore) and Alexander Vanegas (sophomore).
Promising newcomers to the varsity roster for High Point include Stephen Besso (senior), Kailen Mahabir (senior), Zach King (senior) and Garret Potter (junior).
The Wildcats compete in the NJAC Freedom Division and have their first home game of the regular season scheduled for Sept. 15 against Lenape Valley.
“We lost only two players from last year’s team [and had a] strong summer camp at Gettysburg College and a very promising preseason," High Point coach Kevin Fenlon said. “The boys are focused on their goal to win a league title, the last time was 40 years ago."