Marco Colasurdo
BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The Bloomfield High School boys soccer team, under head coach Mike Aiello, has high hopes for this season with a good returning nucleus.
The Bengals are off to a 2-0 start to the season, beating West Essex, 2-1, Sept. 4, and Newark Academy,1-0, Sept. 6, both in Super Essex Conference crossover action.
This season, the Bengals have moved up to the SEC-American Division, which is the highest division in the conference.
The Bengals are led by their captains: Anthony Rizzi, Marco Colasurdo, Noah Kelly and Nicholas Rizzi, Anthony’s younger brother.
Anthony Rizzi is a senior four-year starter who will play in the midfield.
“Anthony is a very smart player who is very good on the ball and extremely dangerous any time he is near the net,” wrote Aiello in an email to the Independent Press. “We are expecting a big season for Anthony.”
Colasurdo, a senior, also will be a key contributor.
“Marco is a very dangerous player who reads the game extremely well,” Aiello stated. “He uses his speed on and off the ball and is one of those players that just knows how to put the ball in the net. Marco and Anthony could be a very dangerous duo this season.”
The defensive unit is led by Kelly, a senior who will be playing center back.
“He’s a very smart and physical player and a great leader for us,” Aiello stated. “We always look to get Noah up the field and involved in set pieces as he is a huge threat in the air.”
Nicholas Rizzi, a junior, will anchor the midfield along with Anthony, but has the ability to play almost anywhere on the field, Aiello noted.
“We will look to find ways to get Nick involved in our attack as he is also a threat anytime he is near the net,” Aiello stated.
Aiello praised the leadership of the captains.
“This core of players is a special group. They’ve grown up playing together and have done a great job leading this young team with the examples they’ve set.”
Among the newcomers who have stepped up include junior Aidan Schmidt, who will be playing center back next to Noah, sophomore Nathan Russell, whom the coaching staff expects to be able to play multiple spots within the midfield and senior Eduar Ramos, who uses his quickness to either get dangerous with the ball on his feet or set up his teammates who look to play off of him when he is in the attacking third, Aiello stated.
Indeed, Aiello has been impressed by the newcomers.
“We graduated all but four starters from last season, but have been very impressed with the job the younger players have done so far this preseason. This group works extremely hard and is eager to learn. We told them that there is plenty of time to be had and that has led to some competitive play in our training sessions.”
Aiello outlined his team’s goals.
“We are looking to qualify for the state tournament for the third straight season. We also want to be competitive in all of our matches. Playing in Essex County is never easy, with all of the great programs in the surrounding towns, but I am a firm believer that you get better by playing against strong competition. Improving and learning each day is always an important goal to have.”
The Bengals will host Nutley on Sept. 10 at Foley Field at 10 a.m. in a SEC crossover game.
Schedule
Sept. 4, West Essex, 4 p.m.
Sept. 6, at Newark Academy, 4 p.m.
Sept. 9, Montclair Kimberley Academy*, 4 p.m.
Sept. 11, Montclair*, 4 p.m.
Sept. 14, Nutley, 10 a.m.
Sept. 17, at Caldwell, 4 p.m.
Sept. 19, at West Orange*, 4 p.m.
Sept. 23, Verona, 4 p.m.
Sept. 26, Millburn*, 4 p.m.
Sept. 28, at Columbia, 10 a.m.
Oct. 1, Glen Ridge*, 4 p.m.
Oct. 3, Irvington, 4 p.m.
Oct. 10, at Belleville, 7 p.m.
Oct. 15, at Wayne Valley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17, Paterson Charter, 4 p.m.
Oct. 21, at Seton Hall Prep*, 4 p.m.
*SEC-American Division
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