Down 15 Seniors, SPFHS Soccer Still Aims High

Last season, the Scotch Plains-Fanwood boys' soccer team returned practically every starter. It marched to a 19-3 record, and was ranked one of the top teams in the state.

This season, however, could be different. Although nine varsity players are returning, the Raiders lost 15 seniors to graduation. Nevertheless, head coach Tom Breznitsky remains optimistic.

"They're young, but they're talented and a hard-working group and well-skilled," head coach Tom Breznitsky said Aug. 28, following his team's first scrimmage against visiting Columbia High School of Maplewood. "For quite a few of them it's their first year of varsity, but a lot of them played on quality club teams."

This year's squad might not enjoy the same depth of experience it enjoyed last year. But it will be out to establish its own identity once the season commences.

"They've got a good attitude. They're very coachable and willing to learn," Breznitsky said, who is now in his 36th season at the helm of the Raiders. "They listen to what we're trying to preach to them as far as how we want to try to play.

"I was exceptionally pleased with that today (against Columbia). They did a good job of keeping the ball on the floor and they worked hard.

"I think we're going to surprise a lot of people since we graduated 15 guys and almost all of our starters."

The nine lettermen back include seniors Blake DeJohn and Rory Szeto; juniors Travis Cortez, Dan McMillan, Gio Tobon and Billy Babis and sophomores Vinnie Bianco, Colin Stripling and Andrew Leischner.

Breznitsky said that Brian Fischer, who joined the varsity squad in 2007 as a freshman, than missed his sophomore and junior seasons due to health issues, has returned for his senior year.

"Brian is a big, strong, outside back," Breznitsky said. "He's 6-foot-1 and knows how to play the game, so, hopefully he can remain healthy."

Sophomore Vinnie Bianco will see time in goal and on the field, Breznitsky said. He is returning from an ACL injury he suffered at the end of last season. He started in goal in the team's scrimmage against Columbia.

"Because of the ACL we were thinking maybe we should use him more in the goal and a little less in the field," Breznitsky said. "He's an exceptional goalkeeper. He's 5-foot-6, but he's got quick reflexes, good vertical leap and he's excellent on punting and goal kicks. But he's also a very good field player."

Also in goal are junior Seth Schlisserman (5-8) and senior Jason Schaub (6-0). Both played on the junior varsity last year. "The goalkeeping position, with the other two candidates, is a little bit up in the air," Breznitsky said.

Like last year, the Raider formation is a 4-5-1, not counting the goalie.

The four backs include Fischer, junior Mike Daly, McMillan and junior Kevin Sully. The four midfielders are Cortez, Stripling, Leischner, DeJohn and Tobon. The forward is either Babis or Szeto.

NOTES: Although Johan Hernandez missed his entire junior season and most of his senior campaign with an ACL injury, he made it to the next level and is now a freshman on the men's soccer team at Providence College.

Hernandez (5-8, 155) is listed as a midfielder on the roster and will be wearing No. 22.

His standout play as a sophomore helped lead Scotch Plains to its record 14th Union County Tournament championship, and its 12th under Breznitsky.

Hernandez was a two-year captain at Scotch Plains and finished with 24 goals and 27 assists according to his bio on the Providence College athletics website.

Other key players lost to graduation include backs Joe D'Annunzio – who is now playing baseball at Rutgers – Chris Freeman, Mike Henkels, Jason Pearl and Mike DelSordi; forwards Mike Greaney and Steven Bello and goalkeeper Anthony Zukofsky, who was part of 15 shutouts.

DelSordi finished with 10 goals and four assists, Greaney with nine and three and Bello with four and six.

SCOTCH PLAINS-FANWOOD RAIDERS 2010 BOYS' SOCCER

4-5-1 formation (not counting the goalie)

Backs (4):

Brian Fischer, senior, left outside

Mike Daly, junior, center

Dan McMillan, junior, center

Kevin Scully, junior, right outside

Midfielders (5):

Travis Cortez, junior, center

Colin Stripling, sophomore, center

Andrew Leischner, sophomore

Blake DeJohn, senior, outside

Gio Tobon, junior

Forward (1):

Billy Babis, junior or Rory Szeto, senior

Goalkeepers (3):

Vinnie Bianco, sophomore

Seth Schlisserman, junior

Jason Schaub, senior

2010 SCHEDULE

Sept. 9 South Plainfield, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 Union, 4 p.m.

Sept. 14 at Linden, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 16 at Westfield, 4 p.m.

Sept. 20 Cranford, 4 p.m.

Sept. 24 Plainfield, 4 p.m.

Sept. 25 Kearny, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 28 Elizabeth, 4 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Bridgewater-Raritan, 1 p.m.

Oct. 4 at Union, 4 p.m.

Oct. 6 Linden, 4 p.m.

Oct. 8 Westfield, 4 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Cranford, 4 p.m.

Oct. 14 at Plainfield, 4 p.m.

Oct. 16 Bayonne, 2 p.m.

Oct. 19 at Elizabeth, 4 p.m.

Oct. 28 at Johnson, 4 p.m.

Union County Conference-Watchung Division for 2010:

(7 schools) Westfield, Scotch Plains, Union,

Elizabeth, Linden, Plainfield and Cranford.

Cranford moved up after winning the Mountain Division last year.