Hawks President: Help Save Soccer Team

Mike Turnage doesn't want it to happen.

The Hopatcong Hawks Soccer Club president knows how important a role soccer can play in a teen's life. And he's worried a handful of borough girls won't get an opportunity to reap the sport's benefits next spring as the U-14 team is on the verge of collapsing due to a lack of players.

So Turnage hopes to see an influx of girls at Thursday's tryouts from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at .

"I'm trying to save the U-14 team," he said. "They went into the (fall) season with only 11 players, and two of them got hurt. They ended up finishing the season with nine players, and that's not a good thing.

"This is where bonds are formed," he continued. "The girls are going into high school. Whether they're going to go out for the high school team or not … it's camaraderie. it really is."

Turnage said he's not sure if the team will return nine players for the spring. Registration for the spring season costs $275.

"Hopefully they'll want to play," he said. "Watching friendships form on the field is amazing."

Thursday's tryouts will also include U-16 and U-18 girls teams and U-16 and U-18 boys teams.