NUTLEY, NJ – The Nutley High School varsity boys’ soccer team, under first-year head coach Tom Tolve, won back-to-back games last week, beating River Dell and Cranford, to improve to an 8-10-1 record.
The Raiders played their last home game on Friday, Oct. 27, against River Dell. Nutley was able to score first, by a goal from senior Kenny Neri. River Dell was able to answer back, and even up the score, 1-1, right before halftime.
The second half was dominated by the Raiders. Garrett Groeling, Austin Sweeney, and Josue Maldonado all scored a goal to secure a 4-1 win. Nick Kirby, Ilya Udalov, and Jose Ferreira each had an assist for the Raiders. Brandon Syto made three saves in the game.
The Raiders took on Cranford High School on Saturday morning, Oct. 28. The Raiders took a controlling lead in the first half, going into halftime with a score of 2-0. During the second half, Cranford fought back and scored a goal of its own. Nutley was able to secure the game with a third goal and great defense to end the game, 3-1. Groeling, a junior, was able to score his eighth and ninth goals of the season. He is the leading goal-scorer for the Raiders. Ferriera, a junior, scored as well in the win for Nutley. Ferriera, Dan Caraballo, and JP Maruri all had an assist for the Raiders. Syto captured eight saves and teammate Christian Torres made 2. This was the final regular season game for Nutley.
The Raiders enter the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 state tournament as the 14th seed where they will face Somerville on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
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