Boys Soccer Looks to Turn Things Around

Last season the Summit High School boys soccer team went 10-9.  Just one season after making the Union County Finals, the season was good but a little disappointing. This year's team hopes to turn things around.

Captains Luke Shehata, a third year varsity forward, Terry McKenna, a second year varsity defender, and Clayton Johnson, fourth year varsity midfielder will lead the team.

"They certainly bring a presence to the field," said head coach Chris Yager.  "They're very outgoing.  They've always been good role models.  I let the boys pick captains this year and it was unanimous."

The leaders of the team had quite a bit to say about the team goals based on last season's performance.

"We went 10-9 last season," said Shehata, "which is not bad, but this season we're hoping to do a little better. It's my last season at Summit so I want to leave with a better record than we had last year."

Shehada isn't the only captain who has last season in his head.

"I want to get back the Union County final like we did two years ago," Johnson said. "Last year I think we had the team to do it, and this year I think we're even better so I think we can definitely do it."

Co-captain McKenna agrees.

"We want to get as far into November as we can, and as far into the Union County Tournament as we can.  Maybe even win it.  Knock off some of the top teams such as Scotch Plains and Cranford.  We really want to beat them this year."

This year brings a number of changes to the Summit soccer.  The program introduces Yager as its new coach, though he is far from new to Summit soccer and has made a career of playing and coaching the game.

"I'm an alumni of the program, so I have a pretty good idea of the intricacies of the youth program, how the high school works, the academic side of it," Yager said. "I played two years Division One, then I played at Drew for a year.  I played two years of amateur and semi-pro in between.  I coached Division One college soccer.  I was the assistant coach for four years at St. Peter's and before this year I was the head coach at for Bound Brook in Somerset County for two years.  We played (Summit) last year so I kind of have a pretty good idea the talent that we have and some expectations.  I have very high expectations for this team.  I think the boys have kind of started having the belief in themselves and pushing themselves which is what they need."

The biggest change of all may be the conference change that the soccer team will face this year.  Many of the teams at Summit High School made the conference change last season, and Yager hopes it provides them with some new opportunities.

"Ideally we just want to get a system down," Yager said.  "They've had a variation of styles over the last few years and just trying to find some consistency, you know, really trying to play with a certain formation. Just trying to find an identity with the program and keeping it consistent with the new formation. It's a new conference for the boys this year, not that it's not as challenging, but we're not playing Group 3 and Group 4's anymore. We're playing Group 1 and Group 2, which I think is better suited for the program right now.  It will give us the opportunity to find some consistency."

The team itself is young this year.  There is about an even split between seniors and underclassmen.  The good news is that about half the team will return next season, but the reality is that many are new to the varsity team.

"We have a younger team this year," said McKenna, "so we have to try and toughen them up a little bit, and see what they're made of.  Get them ready for the varsity level."

Each of the three captains sees the team a little differently, but one common theme is that all three are working to improve as a team.

"My goal for myself, and the whole team, is just to get better at the sport of soccer and to make everyone around me better at the sport by working hard every day," said Shehada.  "We have a new coach and I think he can bring us pretty far in the season and hopefully we can get pretty far in the Union County Tournament as well as states."

Shehada, a forward, picked the midfielders as the highlight of the team.

"I feel like our strongest point is in the midfield," said Shehada.  "I think our defense could use a little more work as well as our offense, but our midfield is looking pretty promising right now.  Hopefully they can help get the ball up to the forwards and then work better than just defense."

McKenna, a defender, picked the goaltenders as the team's saving grace.

"I think we got two pretty good goaltenders," said McKenna.  "In our last scrimmage we didn't let up any goals.  We got a returning senior and a rising junior.  I think they're both going to make good goalies this year."

Johnson, a midfielder wasn't willing to commit any part of the team as good or bad.  He stood firm in the belief that they all needed work.

"I think every part of the field needs a little bit of work," said Johnson.  "We don't have one particular strength.  I think we're all about equal and we're all working to get better. We're working on moving the ball quickly, movement off the ball, and communication. We're playing a new system this year, so I think one of our team goals is just to come together and start working as a unit.  Move together."

Working as a unit was the common thread of all of the comments.

"We're just trying to move as one," said Shehada. "Our coach likes to say 'Our one versus their eleven,' so eleven attackers or eleven defenders and basically just move as a team."

"We're working on moving as a team," said McKenna, "keeping our shape and not just getting too out of control on the field.  We want to keep everything in one set motion, one plan.  I think we definitely have to get better this year and work on consistency.  Last year we brought it for some games and for others we just weren't there to play and we got beat bad.  When we brought it we were pretty good and we could take on any team."

Though they clearly knew all the thing they have to work on, there was no shortage of optimism and trust in  the program.

"I think they're passionate about playing the game," said Yager. "They're very diligent, they work hard, five minutes early is ten minutes too late.  They try to beat me here, which is great.  It sets a tone and it sets a good example for the underclassmen to follow.  They are a very supportive group and I'm just trying to get them to understand that that has to happen in all aspects of life, not just in soccer."

The boys themselves are also optimistic.  They are sure their hard work will pay off, and in the meantime they have a slightly less challenging goal.

"We're just looking to have fun this year," said Johnson, "and hoping to be good."

The boys play their first game against New Providence on September 11 at 10 a.m. at Summit High School. Stay tuned to Patch to find out when and where they are playing all season.