Nick Kirby
NUTLEY, NJ — Tom Tolve recognizes the importance of fitness.
This season, the third-year Nutley High School boys soccer head coach has placed an even greater emphasis on fitness than ever before.
So far, it’s paying dividends. Tolve has noticed that his Raiders are in better shape at the end of games than their opponents.
“We’ve been able to keep the high intensity up, just attacking their defenders, getting shots on target and really tearing down the defenses,” said Tolve, after his team rallied to beat Verona, 3-2, Sept. 17 at Father Glotzbach Field, scoring two goals in the final 13 minutes of regulation to erase a 2-1 decifit. “I think that’s really been the key for us this season. So far, I’m very happy with the way we’ve been playing this season.”
Nutley has enjoyed a good start to the season with a 5-2 overall record through Sept. 24.
The Raiders have a bunch of juniors who gained experience during last season’s solid 12-5-1 campaign.
Leading the Raiders are senior JP Maruri, who can play either as a defender or a forward, and junior center midfielder Nick Kirby, who has started since his freshman year.
Antonio Lampon, a senior, has been a nice addition after transferring from St. Benedict’s Prep. Charlie Contini, a junior, scored the game-winning goal against Verona.
Lampon scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Newark East Side on Sept. 20 as the Raiders. Marui and Kirby each had an assist.
The Raiders’ other wins came against Columbia, 2-1, Sept. 4, in the season opener, Warren Hills, 6-1, in the second game of the season; and Irvington, 4-3, in overtime on Sept. 23. Nutley lost to rival Belleville, 1-0, Sept. 24, which ended a three-game winning streak. The other loss was to Glen Ridge, 2-1, Sept. 11.
Tolve is looking for his team to develop consistency in each game. The Raiders tend to start slow before picking things up. Tolve mmwants his team to maintain a high level of play from start to finish, which will go a long way toward achieving their goals of winning the SEC-Liberty and going far in the county and state tournaments. NHS is 3-0 in the SEC-Liberty with the wins over Columbia, Verona and Irvington.
“I always tell the guys, ‘you gotta work for 80 minutes,’ ” Tolve said. “You’re not gonna beat good teams just playing 40 or 60 minutes. It’s gotta be the entire 80 minutes”
Tolve especially wants his team to make its mark in Essex County.
“We want to show we are one of the best teams in Essex County,” he said. “Essex County is one of the best counties in the state for soccer, so I want to show that Nutley can play with the elite teams.”
Photos by Steve Ellmore
Nutley vs. Columbia, season opener, Sept. 4, at Father Glotzbach Field
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