The Belleville boys soccer team poses together prior to the game against Bloomfield on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Clearman Field.
BELLEVILLE, NJ — Despite being hit hard by graduation, the Belleville High School boys soccer team returns a solid, talented group that is looking to capture the Super Essex Conference–Colonial Division championship this season.
The Bucs had a 3-3 overall record through Monday, Sept. 18. They were in second place in the division at 3-1, behind rival Nutley. Belleville was scheduled to visit Nutley on Tuesday, Sept. 26. After losing to divisional foe East Orange, 1-0, in the season opener, the Bucs defeated Barringer, 4-1; Central, 3-2; and Orange, 5-0, all in the division. Belleville then lost to Bloomfield, 1-0, and highly-regarded West Orange, 5-1, in crossover divisional games.
Though the bench is shorter than it was last season, Polewka said he feels comfortable with the core of the team competing in the division.
After seeing some time last year, senior co-captain Aiden Rodriguez is the No. 1 goalie.
“Aiden has been a goalie that probably could have started as a junior, but had two seniors ahead of him,” Polewka said. “We split him a little bit between JV and varsity last year. When one of my starters went down, he came in to back up and actually got some playing time in the county game, so he’s got some experience and this is his year to shine. It’s his team now.”
The defense consists of senior center back and co-captain Joshua Nodong and sophomore 6-foot-1 center back Jhon Mendez, and junior outside backs Connor Egoavil and Raul Pineda.
Nodong is a three-year starter.
The midfielders are senior Juan Sebasian Giraldo and juniors Nicholas Bustios, Wilberto Solorzano and Charlie Chabla. Giraldo will be looked upon to help trigger the attack.
Sophomore Rafael Alves de Carvalho and junior Jorge Carrion are the forwards who look to score goals.
Polewka likes his team’s versatility.
“They’re pretty versatile,” he said. ”With that starting lineup, I can switch around (players). They all have been playing with each other for quite a while.”
Polewka also mentioned that five players were members of the Kearny Thistle that competed in the club nationals in Kansas this summer. They are Solorzano, Bustios, Carrion, Pineda and junior defender-midfielder Eric Castillo.
Make no mistake; if they stay healthy, the Buccaneers have their sights on a divisional title, Polewka said. They also want to make a run in the county tournament and qualify and make a run in the state sectional tournament.
In five of Polewka’s previous six years at the helm, the Bucs have qualified for the state sectional tournament.
In addition to Nutley, Barringer, East Orange, Central and Orange, the other opponents in the Colonial Division are Payne Tech, Technology and Science Park, all of Newark.
Here are upcoming games:
- Sept. 26: at Nutley, 4 p.m.
- Sept. 28: at Weequahic, 4 p.m.
- Set. 30: vs. Payne Tech, 10 a.m.
- Oct. 3: at Technology of Newark, 4 p.m.
- Oct. 5: vs. Newark West Side, 4 p.m.
- Oct. 7: vs. Irvington, 10 a.m.
- Oct. 16: vs. Glen Ridge, 4 p.m.
- Oct. 18: vs. West Essex of North Caldwell, 7 p.m.
- Oct. 20: vs. North Star Academy of Newark, 4 p.m.
Photos by Joe Ragozzino
Belleville vs. Bloomfield (Saturday, Sept. 16 at Clearman Field)
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