Senior Night Concludes in a 6-0 Win for the Cowboys

The Cowboys were able to celebrate Senior Night with a 6-0 win. Photo by Alex Goldman.

The Cowboys were able to celebrate Senior Night with a 6-0 win. Photo by Alex Goldman.

Pascack Hills’ varsity soccer team emerged victorious on Senior Night, beating Westwood High School 6-0 in an emotional game. Seniors Saleh Shalforoosh and Niko Stavrianidis both scored on their celebratory night, while juniors Ryan DiCaprio and Luke Aschenbrand both scored twice.

With the season coming to a close, captain Alex Goldman is in disbelief that his soccer career is ending at Pascack Hills already. “It really has been a great four years. I’m going to miss the unity I’ve created with my brothers on the field.”

Goldman has been passionate about soccer since he was a child, and is appreciative of his time in a Cowboys uniform: “Pascack Hills soccer has created an environment no other team or club can create. There is a sense of pride in wearing this jersey; I love representing my school well.”

Coach James Soltmann will also miss this group after a successful four years. He has loved seeing them progress: “The thing that is best about them all is that they all have worked hard in at least some aspect of the game and they are all pushing each other to constantly be better.”

The talent has always been there, and he wants to see this group go far.

“Senior night was a great night,” Soltmann said. “If we win the league championship and/or the state championship, that is what they will look back fondly on.”

While there may be a tough road ahead for the Cowboys, they are ready for the challenge. With a very talented team that has won 11 games so far, they are ready to make some noise in the tournament.

When compared with previous senior classes, Soltmann said “As a whole, they definitely compare favorably to pretty much any previous senior soccer class, but the proof is in the pudding. The next few weeks should really see how they compare.”

Soltmann is upset to see them go, but is excited for next year. “When you have a great group of boys like this you just don’t want to see any of them go. And while I don’t like to talk about next year, as this season is still going strong, next year should be fun. We have eight returning players who have starting experience, and when a few JV players are added to the mix, we should have a competitive team next year.”