According to South Brunswick Coach Chris Hayston, there isn't a big talent difference between the teams in the Red Division of the Greater Middlesex Conference.
Through the first five games of the season, it's still been enough to get the South Brunswick High boys soccer team off to a 4-1 start.
"I thought we even played well in our opening (1-0) loss to Monroe," Hayston said. "Monroe just made one more play. Even so, it would have been easy to say 'here we go again.' Instead, the kids fought through it and now we are 4-1."
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South Brunswick is coming off a 4-15 season in 2010. According to Hayston, that was just one of those years where if something could go wrong, it did.
"It snowballed on us," said Hayston, who is now thrilled that things are rolling the other way for his team in 2011.
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South Brunswick improved to 2-1 with a 1-0 win over JP Stevens on Sept. 13.
Kyle Goodwin, assisted by Chase Adams, scored the lone goal of the match.
On Sept 15, South Brunswick trailed at the half before rallying for a 3-1 win over Old Bridge.
Goodwin scored two goals in the second half. Andrew Atalla also had a second-half goal. Kelsey Choice and Adams had assists. Jimmy Quilter made 11 saves in goal.
The biggest win of the season for South Brunswick came this past Saturday when the Vikings defeated St. Joe's, 2-1, in overtime.
"We won a free kick with two minutes to go and put that in," Hayston said. "Then we got the opportunity to finish the game and took advantage of that in overtime."
Goodwin scored both goals for South Brunswick. Atalla had an assist. Quilter had 14 saves in goal.
"He (Goodwin) is a talented young man," Hayston said. "He's a sophomore and he's coming into his own. Every team needs someone like him. He can step up and make a play."
Of course, it helps to have talented teammates.
"There are a lot of guys working hard behind him to help create those opportunities," Hayston said.
That includes a talented goalie and defense, which has kept the games close enough so Goodwin's goals have had more of an impact.
"Our defense and goalie have stepped up in games all year," Hayston said. "We haven't given up more than a goal in any game yet this year."
South Brunswick will try and add to its four-game winning streak when it hosts North Brunswick on Sept. 19. South Brunswick also has home games scheduled against Piscataway on Sept. 21 and East Brunswick on Sept. 23.
One more win will put South Brunswick past last year's win total.
"I don't know if that should make me laugh or cry," Hayston said. "The difference betweens wins and losses can be so small."
