Columbia HS boys’ soccer players earn All-Area accolades

MAPLEWOOD – The Columbia High School boys’ varsity soccer team had several players who provided solid contributions during the season.

The following CHS players have earned Worrall Media All-Area honors: senior forward Max Maidenberg (four goals, two assists this season); senior sweeper Nathaniel Etienne Damas (one goal); senior midfielder Bill Barron (one goal); senior forward Andrew Thompson (two goals, four assists); and sophomore goalkeeper Mateo Green (127 saves).

On the All-Super Essex Confernce-American Division, Etienne Damas made second team, and Barron and Green made honorable mention.

The Cougars, under head coach Josh Russotto, gave competitive efforts during the season despite finishing with a 5-11-2 record. As the 10th seed, they lost to seventh-seeded Bloomfield in a penalty-kick shootout in the Essex County Tournament round of 16.

In the state North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 tournament, the 13th-seeded Cougars defeated fourth-seeded Plainfield in a penalty-kick shootout in the first round before losing to Super Essex Conference-American Division foe East Side, 3-1, in the quarterfinals to end the season. East Side, the fifth seed, lost to third-seeded Elizabeth in the sectional championship.