West Orange Boys Soccer Prepare for Opener with High Hopes

West Orange High School boys soccer team went 13-5-1 last season, finishing runners-up to powerful Seton Hall Prep in the competitive Super Essex American Division to powerful Seton Hall Prep.

Mountaineers coach Doug Nevins said his team has a great chance to be much better this year with so much talent and experience back.

"Significantly better,'' said Nevins, whose team opens its season Monday at Montclair. "We have guys coming off the bench who are as good as the guys they are replacing.''

The Mountaineers had an outstanding pre-season, beating perennial state powers' Rancocas Valley, Cinnaminson and Scotch Plains-Fanwood in scrimmages.

"It wasn't a fluke,'' Nevins said. "By the time of our third scrimmage it was like 'wow' these kids are very, very special players.''

The optimism comes from the fact that eight starters return from last year's team.
Senior attacking midfielder Fabricio Acosta , junior forward Jelani Williams and sophomore forward Kazari Trought and senior defender Kiernan Murphy return.

"Fabricio was the third best player in the Essex County last year,'' said Nevins. "Fabricio is clearly one of the best middies in the Essex County and in the state. He's really, really a technical player and he's working on being a complete player."

He had eight goals and 12 assists last year. Williams was the team's second leading scorer.

"He's really improved his game,'' Nevins said. "He is probably our most improved player. We think he'll be very good.''

Trought is known as one of the fastest players in the state. He already has been called up to the junior national team. He had nine goals as a freshman.

Murphy is a three-year starter.

"Two years ago we were so young, and now all of these kids are juniors and seniors,'' said Nevins.

Senior center back Jorge Arieta is a three-year starter and senior left back Zach White is in his second year as a starter. Senior center back Brandon Thompson and Connor Johnston also return along with senior keeper Thomas Attamante, who spent part of his summer in Brazil playing the game with a club team. Senior defensive middie Chris Aristizabal is another returning starter.

Senior outside forward Nanee Freckleton and junior outside forward Matt Schneier will provide depth.

"The biggest thing for my guys is to take every game one at a time,'' said Nevins. "In every game we should be the better team, but that doesn't mean we're going to win.''

Monday's game will start at 4 p.m. at Montclair High School.