Fall Sports Summary

By Jake Bellmer

It+was+a+thrilling+Fall+season+for+Hills+sports.+Photo+Courtesy+of+Lors+Photography

It was a thrilling Fall season for Hills sports. Photo Courtesy of Lors Photography

Boys Soccer: Coming off a State Sectional Title, the boys soccer team didn’t perform like its 2015 team. The Cowboys finished 8-7-1, with outstanding play from goalie Jake Fox, who shutout teams in seven games. Unfortunately, they were eliminated in the first round of the State Tournament and County Tournament. Fox played outstanding in goal the whole season after the graduation of starter Evan Lazarus. Fox’s signature punch save helped keep the Cowboys in games. The offense was led by senior Noah Rak and sophomore Ryan DiCaprio’s four goals each. DiCaprio looks to be the centerpiece to the Cowboys in the coming years along with Kyle Wyman. Fox said this season “was up and down, but we had some great times, wins and memories.”

Record: 8-7-1 (3rd in Patriot Division)

Best Moments: Alex Goldman’s 30-yard top-left corner goal versus Dumont; Panos Logothetis’s two goals in one minute versus River Dell; Jake Fox’s eight acrobatic saves versus Mahwah

Girls Soccer: It was an up and down season under first-year Coach Jim Loudon. The girls started the season 0-3, before winning six of their next eight. They finished the season under .500 and only had one divisional game win. Led by Erica Bardes and Alexa Otto on offense and Steph Samani on defense as well as Mackenzie Catherwood in Goalie, the Cowgirls had some thrilling games. The emergence of younger players like Sofia Abbruzzesi, Rachel Kuri and Nicole Lindor shows the future is bright for the Cowgirls. Bardes said, “It was an exciting season with counties and other big wins.”

Record: 9-12 (fifth in Patriot Division)

Best Moments: Freshman Sofia Abbruzzesi’s hat trick, Erica Bardes’ final minute goal in County Tournament; 7-1 victory versus Saddle Brook

Football: Unfortunately, this season for the Cowboys didn’t go as expected. Key players went down with injuries early in the season. Seniors Adam Castrillion, Jake Cortazzo, Dom Campana, and Tyler Allgor all suffered major knee injuries ending their season and hurting the Cowboys. With a lack of depth and playmakers, the Cowboys struggled to get on a roll and defend their League Title. The boys finished 3-7, with some disappointing losses. A team that had nothing going their way got worse when star HB Deven Deppert broke his foot at the end of season. Just what the Cowboys needed. Looking forward, the Cowboys look to just keep working hard and making adjustments next season.

Record: 3-7

Best Moments: Deven Deppert’s 4 TD performance versus Cedar Grove; opening day win versus Tenafly; win versus Walkill Valley

Volleyball: Under first-year Coach Lindsay Runge, the Cowgirls had a fantastic season. They finished 20-5 and reached the Quarterfinals of the State Tournament. The girls were eliminated by Tenafly in the County and State Tournament in two intense and well-played matches. Led by seniors Hannah Sarakin and Alexa Devens, the Cowgirls performed better than people thought they would. Sophomore standouts Erin Hedrick and Maddie Valko showed their very high potential and talent. They will become centerpieces in the coming years for the girls Volleyball program along with next-year seniors Erin Darley, Lexi Belnick, and Kaitlyn McCluskey. An outstanding season in 2016 can shape an even better season to come.

Record: 20-5 (4th in Group 2)

Best Moments: Upset three-set victory at home versus Mahwah, Lexi Belnick’s 23 straight points en route to a combined 50-5 victory versus Newark Central, Hills victory over Valley at home in Dig Pink Event

Cross Country: Yet another great season for the XC program. The boys took home their second straight County Championship. Both teams placed in the top five in their State Sectional Meets. Seniors Anthony Michielini, Keith Petrellese, Nick Beutel, Allie Gluck and Nina Rubenstein were key pieces in the programs outstanding year. Beutel commented on the season. “This season was another great one, we are a family and we never want to let each other down.”

Boys Record: 4-2

Girls Record: 3-3

Best Moments: Beating rival River Dell; winning back-to-back County Championships; top five finishes in State Sectional Meet at Garrett Mountain.

Girls Tennis: The girls couldn’t repeat their 2015 success, but played well this season. The girls finished 6-7 with several shutouts versus division rivals. The team will look very similar next season and look to bounce back.

Record: 6-7

Best Moments: Reaching Quarterfinals of States; opening day victory versus River Dell; Rouya He’s shutout versus Westwood

Gymnastics: The girls had another tremendous season, placing second in Counties by less than a point, and winning the NJGL A Title. The Pascack Regional team with Valley and Hills athletes performed extremely well. A team that keeps developing young talent will look to continue its dominance for years to come under first-year Coach Aly Petaccia.

Record: 7-2

Best Moments: Scoring 109 points in back-to-back meets, second place finish in Counties, Multiple state finishers