Dayton Boys' Soccer Ready to Repeat

When Dayton takes to the pitch Saturday afternoon for its season-opener at Roselle, the Bulldogs will do so with a label they've never enjoyed before.

Defending state champions.

At Hillsborough last Nov. 21, Dayton tied Palmyra to capture a share of the NJSIAA Group 1 state title. Dayton had last appeared in a state final 50 years ago when it bowed to Verona in the Group 3 title game in 1959.

"Things are a little different this year in many ways," says head coach Felix Fabiano. "We have guys back that played in some capacity last year and we also have a lot of kids that didn't.

"Hopefully, the those that didn't can learn from those that did."

Dayton finished 17-6-1 a year ago and Fabiano earned the Union County Boys Soccer Coach of the Year award from the Star-Ledger for his efforts.

Fabiano enters, this, his 16th season at the helm of the Springfield school with a 139-110-4 career record.

"We've been practicing really good and I'm looking forward to the season," Fabiano said. "I don't feel we're the favorite (for the Group title), but we weren't the favorite last year either. 

"I feel we could be competitive."

Last fall, Dayton, the seventh seed, shocked state-power and second-seeded Harrison,3-2, in the quarterfinal round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 1 tournament. It then dispatched third-seeded Glen Ridge, 1-0 (4-3 in penalty kicks), and top-seeded High Tech, 3-2, to win the sectional title.

Then it edged a very good Wallington team, then ranked No. 20 in The Star-Ledger, 2-1, to reach its first state final in five decades.

In the final, Dayton played well, but couldn't break through for a goal. But goalie Brendon Moss, now a junior, posted his eighth shutout of the year to help the Bulldogs earn a share of the title.

Moss, who assumed the role in net when Jordan Sack went down with an injury in the second game of the year, will be called upon to anchor Dayton's defense.

Other key players for Dayton this year include, seniors Kenny Pereira, Peter Bianco and Andrey Zuniga, junior Eytan Bocklin and freshman Andrew Reina.

"We put no limit on our objectives this year," Fabiano said. "We will again enter the county tournament and we have games against tough teams like Metuchen, Somerville and Chatham and that should help come time for the state tournament."

Fabiano was buoyed by Dayton's recent scrimmage results which include a 2-2 tie against Bound Brook and a 1-1 deadlock with Elizabeth.

The veteran coach was also happy to see a big turnout in late summer for the annual Alumni game.

"We had about 25 players return to Dayton from all over," Fabiano said. "It was a fun day. The kids were able to mingle with the players that came before them and talk a little about the history of Dayton soccer."

A history that now includes a state championship ready to defend.

DAYTON BOYS SOCER 2010 SCHEDULE

Sept. 11: at Roselle, 4

Sept. 13: at Metuchen, 7

Sept. 14: vs. Hillside, 4

Sept. 20: vs. Roselle Park, 4

Sept. 24: at Brearley, 4

Sept. 28: vs. Gov. Livingston, 4

Sept. 30: vs. Roselle Catholic, 4

Oct. 4: vs. Roselle, 4

Oct. 6: at Hillside, 4

Oct. 12: at Roselle Park, 4

Oct. 14: at Solomon Schechter, 4:30

Oct. 16: at McNair Academic, 10 a.m.

Oct. 19: vs. Brearley, 4

Oct. 21: at Roselle Catholic, 4

Oct. 22: vs. Manville, 4

Oct. 25: at Sussex Tech, 4

Oct. 26: at Somerville, 4

Oct. 28: at Chatham, 3:30