Boys Soccer: The boys’ soccer team has a relatively good reputation around the school every year. Despite their 1-4 start, the team continues to work hard in and out of practices and games. Most importantly, the players seem to be having fun. They won their home opener 3-2 against Mahwah, with a fantastic goal in the last minute to win the game. Unfortunately, since then, they have gone on a 4-game losing steak. When Coach Soltmann was asked how he motivates a team with a 4-game losing streak, he commented, “The team is made up of some talent, so we just have to keep shuffling players and trying some new alignments. Once they build their confidence again, the wins will come.” If you haven’t been to a boys’ soccer game yet, I highly recommend attending one. Some players to watch are Jake Puleo with his hard shot, TJ Calderone with his magnificent ball skills, and Alex Webber with his senior leadership and hustle. “Every team is always unique,” Coach Soltmann says. “This is a group of boys I always knew would be fun with whom to work, but we are a slower team and our conditioning to start the season was definitely not where it needed to be. They still come to work every day and continue to improve.” Although the team has gotten off to a rough start, they still seem to eye their season long objectives. The seniors want to go out with a statement to end their soccer careers at Hills. “Our long term goals remain, as always, to be competitive in the league, to challenge for a state sectional title, and to keep improving the program to be one of the better programs in North Jersey,” Coach says. Upon entering intense league play, the Cowboys strive to get back on the right path and win like they have the potential to do.
Girls Soccer: The Cowgirl soccer team has been a force to be reckoned in the past years. After graduating a talented senior class featuring Briana Musco, a 100-goal scorer in the 2013 season, the team looks to again contend for both the league title and a state sectional title. A big question coming into this year was where the bulk of the offense would be coming from, now that Briana Musco graduated. This team has turned from being very aggressive on offense, to generating offense from their defense. Unlike teams in the past, this Cowgirl soccer team is much more defense-oriented. This stems from senior sweeper Ryan Murphy, and senior fullback Marykate O’Neill. We know Coach Ernest expects a lot out of his team-especially out of his deep senior class. There is potential for underclassmen to play big roles in the offensive scheme. Sophomore Allison Ernest has been the glue to the midfield, playing well on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. As they prepare to engage in a tough North Jersey schedule, the girl’s soccer team will try to win the league title again, one game at a time.
