West Orange HS boys soccer team returns strong group from last year’s state championship squad

West Orange HS head boys soccer coach Doug Nevins begins his 27th season at the helm. (Photo by Joe Ragozzino)

WEST ORANGE — Coming off one of its best seasons, the West Orange High School boys soccer team returns a solid nucleus.

Despite losing Marcus Jackson – the National Gatorade Player of the Year – to graduation, the Mountaineers, under longtime head coach Doug Nevins, return 14 of their top 18 players from last year’s squad that defeated North Brunswick 5-0 in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Group 4 state championship game to cap a stellar 24-2 season. WOHS finished ranked No. 2 in the state by nj.com, behind foe St. Benedict’s Prep, and also finished ranked No. 8 in the nation by United Soccer Coaches.

The Mountaineers also are ranked No. 8 in this year’s preseason poll by United Soccer Coaches.

Moreover, WOHS added talented junior Damian Aviles, one of the top players from his Ironbound MLS Next team.

The Mountaineers were scheduled to open the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at Newark Academy after press time.

West Orange, which went 5-0 to win the recent Belleville summer league title, return the following players:

Senior goalkeeper Agustin Arrieta, a four-year varsity starter, is “very quick and technical in goal,” said Nevins, entering his 27th year at the helm. Arrieta also is a very good shot blocker who reads the game great, Nevins added.

Niko Chiovaro, a right back and a three-year starter, is physically gifted and very quick, as well as a good one-on-one defender, Nevins said. An All-Super Essex Conference-American Division and All-Essex County performer for the past two seasons, Chiovaro moves forward very well and will get a lot of assists this season, Nevins said.

Chase Winds, a junior center back and two-year starter, is a big, strong player who is skilled and plays smart, Nevin said. He has a great left foot, is very good in the air and a very good one-on-one defender.

Marcus Williams, a junior forward, was a starting outside mid last year and scored eight goals. “This summer, he had over 20 goals in six summer league games. He’s a really good one-on-one player and a good finisher,” Nevins said. Williams’ brother, Maurice, was a starter for the Seton Hall University Elite 8 team and Notre Dame squad that advanced to the NCAA championship game.

Nevins also is excited to have Aviles, a center back/holding mid.

“He is very skilled, very smart, quick and strong,” Nevins said. “We can play him at center back, outside back or center mid, as we need him. He should be dominant. He might be our most complete player. It’s close between him, Chase and Marcus.”

Joseph Castillo, a four-year starter who plays left back and midfield, is a super-skilled attacking outside back who can move forward well and become dangerous. “He is a good one-on-one attacker and serves a great ball,” Nevins said.

Johnny Rebaza, another four-year varsity starter and a holding mid, “was great the first six games last year and then got injured,” Nevins said. “He is back now. He is very strong and smart, good at breaking up plays and good on the ball.”

Justin Amaya, a senior box-to-box mid, “is really quick and tenacious,” Nevins said. “He is good in offensive and defensive one-on-one situations.” Amaya was an All–SEC, All–Essex and All–Group 4 honoree last year.

Darius Millington, a senior attacking mid, is very smooth and skilled in possession, Nevins said. He is also exceptional at running in the box and finishing. Millington scored 14 goals last year as a junior, earning All–SEC, All–Essex, All-Group 4 and All–State honors, as voted by the coaches.

Maddox Brufau, a junior midfielder/forward who is a three-year varsity player, is “really skilled and smart,” Nevins said. “He is a great passer and ball striker.” Brufau was a key reserve last season. Depending on formation, he will be a starter this year, noted Nevins.

Jatniel Vargas Espino, a senior starter at outside mid last season, had three goals and a lot of assists, said Nevins. “He is really quick and dangerous,” Nevins added. “He can score or create for others, and is a very good crosser of the ball.” Vargas Espino will play forward and midfield, depending on formation.

Yenke Suarez, a senior forward who scored 11 goals last season coming off the bench, will start or see a lot more action this season. “He is very fast and dangerous,” Nevins said. “He has really good instincts, in and around the goal.”

Junior Aidan Ackerman is a big athletic player who can play center back when the team moves Aviles up front, Nevins said. Ackerman “can play holding mid when we need a ball winner or play forward when teams pack it in and we need physicality,” Nevins said. “He has a very high sports IQ, reads the game really well and will be our Swiss Army knife this season. This guy is unique in a world of super-skilled club players. He is a throwback athlete that knows how to win.”

Notes — Jackson is continuing his career at UCLA.

The Mountaineers competed against the WOHS alumni this summer, beating them every time. ”Our alumni is filled with former pros, D1 players and D2/3 players,” Nevins said. “Normally our alumni beat up the varsity all summer. Last summer was the first year we beat them, and this summer we beat them again.”

WOHS’ two losses last year were to St. Benedict’s Prep, including in the Essex County Tournament final by a 1-0 score. The other loss was a 2-1 score in an SEC game, which snapped the team’s 15-game win streak to start the season. West Orange will visit St. Benedict’s Prep on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Riverfront Park in Newark at 4 p.m.

The Mountaineers defeated Mount Olive 2-1 in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 state tournament final at home and then defeated Section 2 champion Scotch Plains–Fanwood 1-0 in the Group 4 semifinals, before defeating North Brunswick.

Schedule

Sept. 1: at Newark Academy, 4 p.m.

Sept. 3: at St. Benedict’s Prep, 4 p.m

Sept. 9: Montclair, 7 p.m.

Sept. 14: Franklin, 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 16: at Seton Hall Prep, 4 p.m.

Sept. 19: Robbinsville, 11 a.m.

Sept. 22: Plainfield, 4:15 p.m.

Sept. 23: at Glen Ridge, 4 p.m.

Sept. 26; at Linden, 11 a.m.

Sept. 28: Bloomfield, 4 p.m.

Sept. 30: Montclair Kimberley Academy, 7 p.m.