Absegami High School's Anthony Maruca, 17, is a senior striker for the boys' soccer team, which has high expectations for itself in the upcoming playoffs.
Maruca has scored six goals in the past five games, including the only goal in a pair of 1-0 wins.
Galloway Patch caught up with the goal scorer to chat about soccer, school and his future plans.
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Galloway Patch: How long have you been playing soccer?
Anthony Maruca: Since I was real little. I don't even remember how old I was.
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Galloway Patch: Have you always been a forward?
Maruca: Yeah, for the most part.
Galloway Patch: What is your favorite aspect of soccer?
Maruca: Everybody working hard in practice and having it pay off in games, getting wins.
Galloway Patch: Do you follow professional soccer?
Maruca: A little.
Galloway Patch: Do you have a favorite player?
Maruca: Yeah, Diego Floran. He plays for Atletico Madrid.
Galloway Patch: What do you like about him?
Maruca: He is just good at scoring goals and he creates nice play, and nice shots.
Galloway Patch: What's your favorite career highlight?
Maruca: Probably my sophomore year when I scored a game-winning goal in overtime (against Kingsway).
Galloway Patch: What are your team's goals this year?
Maruca: We just want to knock out those last few regular season games, work real hard in the state (tournament). We just have to work as hard as we can.
Galloway Patch: Do you have any college plans?
Maruca: Not sure yet, I'm still looking into different places.
Galloway Patch: What do you plan to study?
Maruca: I'm considering criminal justice.
Galloway Patch: What is your favorite class at Absegami?
Maruca: Psychology.
Galloway Patch: What do you like about it?
Maruca: It's just interesting to see how everything works with the brain.
Galloway Patch: What kind of music do you like?
Maruca: Rap. I like Eminem.
