Boys Soccer Back with a Bang

One thing is clear when it comes to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School boy’s soccer team. The Raiders will win lots of games and along the way they’ll grab a title or two.

Last year, the Raiders finished a respectable 13-7-2, but there were no championships, and a rare early elimination from the Union County Tournament. The team did make a run to the North 2 Group III title game, where it lost to eventual state champ Millburn.

Another season is on the horizon and nearly every player that contributed last year has returned. Things should be good for coach Tom Breznitsky’s team. Very, very good.

“I set the standards and the bar very, very high to a degree," said Breznitsky, who enters his 35^th season with a brilliant 568-125-38 record. “We had been to 10 county finals until last year and we had won three straight. Do I think last year was a disappointment? We were young, and there weren’t a lot of seniors."

This time, there are seniors, many seniors. Seventeen letter winners return, 14 of whom are seniors. One of them is senior Johan Hernandez, who missed all of last year after a severe knee injury suffered in the summer. Surgery was required, but the attacking center midfielder is back and healthy.

“He is special, a quality, big-time kid," said Breznitsky, who added that the youngster has offers from Division I Providence, and interest from Seton Hall and St. John’s. “He’s a kid who’ll score goals. Hernandez is exceptional, if he has a normal type of season, he’s going to be all state, all everything."

Senior defender Joey D’Annunzio, also a baseball standout, will be back for his fourth year as a starter. He may play baseball at a Division I school, but Breznitsky said he’s totally dedicated to soccer.

“He’s a tremendous athlete," Breznitsky said. “He’s a heck of a competitor."

Senior defender Chris Freeman will be alongside D’Annunzio and in front of senior keeper Anthony Zukosfsky. He’s grown from 5-foot-9 to 6-foot, the coach said.

“He did a good job for us last year," Breznitsky said.

Senior defender Mike DelSordi returns to the center mid where he has been starting the past two years. Senior forward Matt Greaney, at 6-foot-3, will be used as a target player in front of opponent’s nets.

“Either he goes to goal or plays them off," Breznitsky said.

Sophomore center middie Travis Cortez got plenty of minutes last year because of Hernandez’ absence.

“He got a lot of quality time," Breznitsky said. “He’s a very, very talented kid."

Breznitsky said that with four experienced defenders back with a saavy goalie, the backline will be especially strong.

“Hopefully we peak at the right time," Breznitsky said. “We have been to the state finals 12 times in the last 25 years and we’ve won seven."

If the team plays to its potential, it could be a 26^th trip. The boy's first game is this Saturday vs. Summit at 10:30 a.m.