West Orange High head boys’ soccer coach Doug Nevins, third from right, gathers with his staff at his annual soccer camp this summer. From left Dan Contreras, WOHS Class of 2012, Freddy Christian, JV coach; Russ Hoffer, WOHS Class of 2017; Christian Lighty, Class of 2017; Nevins; Jelani Williams, WOHS Class of 2012; and Christian Pozzoli, WOHS Class of 2017.
WEST ORANGE, NJ – The West Orange High School boys’ soccer team, a perennial championship contender under head coach Doug Nevins, enjoyed a strong summer season.
The Mountaineers competed in the annual Kearny Summer League where they finished with a stellar 7-1 record. The lone loss was to Kearny’s top team. In that game, the Mountaineers didn’t have any substitute players.
In addition, the Mountaineers worked hard during Nevins’ annual summer camp for five weeks. Nevins said a majority of the varsity players attended his camp.
The team also held captains practices in which the players competed against WOHS alumni.
“Many of our current and former college players come back and give us great competition,” Nevins said.
The Mountaineers last season finished 12-5-4, reaching the semifinals of both the Essex County Tournament and North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 state tournament.
Under Nevins, who has been at the helm since 2000, the Mountaineers won Group 4 state titles in 2006 and 2013 and finished runner-up in 2015. Nevins’ teams also have reached the state sectional finals 10 times, winning six titles, along with six ECT championship games, winning two county crowns.
This year’s team has about 20 returning varsity players, led by a strong senior class.
“We look to have a really good team this year,” Nevins said. “We even have a couple of new players that should help a lot as well.”
WOHS will open the season Sept. 6 at Newark East Side.
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