Road to Success Begins on Defense for Absegami Boys' Soccer Team

In the second-half of the 2010 season, the Absegami High School boys' soccer team tightened up its defense.

The Braves were downright stingy the final 13 games, allowing two or more goals four times. They allowed more than two goals just once over the same span.

Absegami used its defense to win 10 of its final 13 games to finish with a 12-6-1 record. The Braves believe that their defense will be just as strong, if not better in 2011.

“Our defenders have all been playing together on a travelling soccer team and I think it’s our team strength,” Absegami defender Sean Ahern said. “I think we can have a lot of shutouts.”

The Braves may be shooting for shutouts every time they hit the pitch, but they certainly will settle for wins any way they come.

Along with Ahern, Absegami returns seniors Brolin Cruz, a first-team all-conference fullback in 2010, fullback Patrick Griggs, and steady keeper Ryan Taylor.

Although their main focus is keeping the ball out of the net, the Braves plan on building offense from the back.

“We are a team that can utilize our backs and move forward,” Absegami coach Bill Rose said. “They have been involved in the attack. What you want is to attack with 10 guys and play defense with 11. We will try to do that for the most part this year.”

The other returning seniors are Colin Ganard in the midfield, and forward Anthony Maruca. The Braves had just four seniors last year, and have a lot of experience returning this season.

“I think we are definitely optimistic,” Ahern said. “We have most of our starters back and we have been playing together. The chemistry is there. We think we are going to have a good season this year.”

Although they have six seniors back, the Braves will need some juniors and sophomores to contribute this season to reach the goals they have set. Midfielder Sean Milligan is among the players expected to contribute.

With so many seniors and a strong defense returning, and their late-season charge in 2010 the Braves believe they can contend in the conference and at the sectional level. Another goal is for the team to make the Coaches Tournament, which is an in-season event featuring the top ranked squads in southern New Jersey.

“We always aim to make the state playoffs and to go do well in the playoffs and in conference play as well,” Rose said.

The Braves will get an early test when they play St. Augustine, a perennial power, on Sept. 9. Egg Harbor Township and Ocean City are also tough squads in the conference.