Wallkill Valley boys soccer looks to build on 12-win season

Ready or not, the regular season has now arrived for high school sports in the Garden State. By all appearances, the Wallkill Valley High School boys soccer team is ready for the many challenges they’ll face on the pitch this year.

The Rangers are scheduled to host Morris Catholic on Friday, September 4.

“Last year we finished third in the NJAC Freedom Division behind Dover and Hackettstown,’’ Wallkill Valley coach Sean Neal said. “Our goals this season are to once again be competitive in the Division and focus on both team and individual improvement throughout the season.

“A lot of guys are now stepping into starting roles after gaining experience last season. As a coaching staff, we preach controlling the things that you can control, such as effort and attitude. We want to remain competitive and get better every day at practice.’’

Key returning Rangers include Chris Delcalzo (senior, forward), Cayden Collins (senior, goal keeper), Connor Schmitz (senior, forward), Nick Delcalzo (senior, forward), Zach Vierzchalek (senior, defense), Miguel McCallum (junior, defense), Brody Incorvaia (junior, midfield), Derek Fleming (junior, midfield), Gavin Jensen (junior, defense) and Noah Gyarmati (sophomore, goal keeper).

Ancel Maldonado (sophomore, midfield), Anthony Barrientos (freshman, midfield), Brayden Snyder (sophomore, midfield), Freddy Bansemer (junior, defense), Rafael Martinez (sophomore, forward), Reilly Irish (junior, defense) and Sam Boys (sophomore, midfield) are among the promising newcomers for the Rangers.

Neal said the team graduated eight seniors who played important roles in the program over the past four years. He said those players helped establish a foundation of leadership, expectations and team traditions that this year’s seniors will be responsible for carrying forward.

Zach Vierzchalek, Cayden Collins, Nick DelCalzo and Chris DelCalzo have been with the varsity program since their sophomore seasons, and Neal expects them to provide leadership this season. Connor Schmitz also has emerged as a leader during the summer.

Neal also pointed to junior Miguel McCallum, who has started every game since his freshman season, as a player poised to take on a larger leadership role. He also expects juniors Derek Fleming, Gavin Jensen and Brody Incorvaia to contribute to the team’s leadership.

The Rangers tallied an overall record of 12-8 in 2025 with six wins in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Freedom Division. They lost to New Milford in the NJSIAA North 1 Group 1 Sectional Tournament last fall.

This season, they play in the Freedom Division along with Hackettstown, Dover, High Point, Newton and North Warren.

“We are very excited and eager to compete in the Freedom Division this year against some really strong and respectable programs,’’ Neal said. “Every game is a tough test. We bring back some guys who experienced playing in the division last year, so they know how tough the schedule is. We hope to compete in every game we play. We are prepared and excited for a tough schedule.”