A Great Year for Boys Varsity Soccer Team

Boys varsity soccer coach Terry McKibbin has a lot to be thankful for this year.

After his team lost in the state semi-finals last week to eventual champion Cherokee, the coach took a moment to reflect on what was a wildly successful season.

The team finished 20-1-2, was the Co-GMC Champion with Edison, won the NJSIAA/Central Jersey Group 4 Championship, and went deep into the state playoffs.

“We knew we had a really strong senior group,” said Coach McKibbin. “We had great senior leadership and I knew we were going to be very good, but if someone said, ‘you were going to win 20 of 22 games an not lose until you’re final game,' I’d have been very surprised.”

The squad had high hopes upon entering the season with 13 returning seniors. The team started out strong, going 20-0-2 before finally dropping it’s final game of the year. With a tie to North Brunswick, and a second tie to Edison in the GMC Championship, the team just wouldn’t lose. Last year, the team lost in the GMCs to St. Joes and again in the first round of Group 4 play.

This year’s team was anchored by the goalie duo of Grant Korten and Emilio, who split almost each game and let in a combined 9 goals, and captain Robert Shalikar, who also scored six goals.

“Shalikar was captain in the back,” said Coach McKibbin. “He was our leader and a great defender.”

An ingredient to this team’s success may have been something that McKibbin can’t coach – team unity. The closeness of the players and their camaraderie are a defining part of the Bears.

“It’s the most close knit group I’ve had,” he said. “I feel like it’s always important. I feel like its an important part of the make up of championship teams You need guys who are going to stick together, who are unselfish and who are going to play for each other, and that’s what we had this year.”

Next season, Coach McKibbin and his team may have a big challenge. With just eight returning seniors, the team will need to draw on the same intangibles that helped propel it to success this year.

“The guys we have on varsity that are returning…we have eight returning, and they’re good players. They’ll be ready. Three started as sophomores. They’ll be ready. They’re a big part of the team. We’re definitely going to be much younger next year.

But even a successful future can't erase the memories of a great season and a great group of players.

“I’m really going to miss this group that’s moving on because they were just incredibly hard workers.”