First there was COVID. Then there was a hip issue. Next came an ankle injury.
None of that, however, could stop Bora Turker from scoring goals for the Robbinsville High boys’ soccer team. As a freshman, Turker tallied a team-high seven times—four of them game-winners—in a season limited to 12 games by the virus. Last year, despite a hip issue that held him out at the start of the year, Bora scored 13 goals in 13 games to again lead the team.
This past summer, he suffered a hairline fracture to his right ankle while playing a pick-up game with friends. Turker missed the season’s first 10 games. Upon his return, he scored eight goals in his first seven games and, as of Oct. 22, was tied with Adrian Ivanov for the team lead.
“He just brings another dynamic to our team on offense and confidence to the whole team knowing we have him up there,” Ravens coach Jeff Fisher said. “He’s so talented, you could literally play a 50-yard ball into his feet and he’s gonna hold it for us and keep possession. He’s really intelligent with his runs and movements to find space for us to attack from. He’s just like the link.
“And then he’s got that natural ability to score goals that you can’t coach or teach. So, it was just a huge lift for us when he came back.”
While Turker was overjoyed to return, he was quick to commend his teammates for going 8-2 in his absence (the Ravens carried a 13-4 record into the state tournament).
“They have very high grit,” he said. “They wanted to get out there. They stuck to the process, worked hard and got some great wins. They did a good job getting to 8-2 and had some tough games and pretty wins along the way.”
Fisher was in complete agreement.
“To be 8-2 without him was tremendous and it set us up to be able to win the division,” the coach said. “The guys gutted out 10 games. It was an opportunity for other guys to show their ability and what they can do and kind of thrive. We had a ton of different starting lineups in the first 10 games. I was proud we were able to win games in different ways.”
And with Turker back, they hope to get some big state tournament wins as the junior makes a potent offense even more powerful. He is coupled up front with the twin brother tandem of Adrian and Alex Ivanov, who combined for 11 goals and 14 assists entering states. Defender Sean Smith has made some runs from the back and collected six goals and four assists, while Nana Kofi Appiah (6 goals) and Stefano Muscara (4 goals, 6 assists) are also a threat.
Mix in Turker, and you really have something.
“I think it can only make us more dangerous with him up top, moving him around offensively and having that natural goal scorer,” Fisher said. “And it gives us guys coming off the bench who were starting early in the season. I always say we have 13 or 14 starters, which you need. You need more than 11 guys to make deep runs in tournaments.”
No one was happier about Turker’s return than Bora himself. Fisher said it was like releasing a “caged animal” when he finally returned to the lineup.
“It hurts sitting on the bench while your friends are all out having fun playing,” Turker said. “It was obviously great getting back. I had some practices so I wasn’t rusty. I came back against Hopewell and it was a huge game.”
It was indeed, as Turker had a goal and assist in a 3-1 win that paved the way to the first CVC Valley Division title in program history. Bora bedeviled the Bulldogs again when he had a hat trick in Robbinsville’s first-round Mercer County Tournament win (The Ravens were beaten by Notre Dame in the second round). Mr. Clutch also scored in overtime for a 1-0 victory over Princeton.
“I always have high expectations,” he said of his comeback. “But I guess getting two game-winners against two of the best teams in the CVC wasn’t really expected.”
Turker began playing soccer at age three playing for Robbinsville rec. He moved on to the esteemed Red Bull Academy but left after two years for Match Fit Academy, where he remains. Red Bull does not allow its players to play high school soccer, which didn’t work for Bora.
“That would be tough,” he said. “It’s fun playing with your friends.”
Ever since he started, Turker has been a scorer. Due to his speed, his dad encouraged him to try forward, which is where he’s been his entire career.
Fisher knew all about Bora before he arrived, as his wife teaches at Pond Road and Connor Hayes, the RHS boys basketball coach, heads up the soccer team.
“I knew a good deal about him before he got here,” Fisher said.
Turker has lived up to the advance billing, despite never playing a full season. After his Covid ravaged freshman year, Bora was ready for a normal year until injury struck.
“Last year I pulled a muscle in my hip at the beginning of the season, right before the games started,” he said. “It was just a recurring injury, it started months prior but it got too bad to play so I took some rest.”
He dominated upon return, enjoying four multi-goal games and collecting points in nine games. The hip injury paled in comparison to what came next. On Aug. 11, Turker got together with some friends for an innocent game. And then. . .
“I landed bad, rolled (the ankle),” Turker said. “I was in a boot for six weeks and physical therapy for another couple weeks. They originally said 10 weeks including the PT, but I’m usually a fast recoverer. But it felt very long. I’m working to get to 100 percent and I think I’ll get there shortly.”
Turker was back in eight weeks, and Fisher sympathized with him over those two months.
“I’ve had to sit out because of injuries, and it’s hard to sit there and watch,” the coach said. “He’s the type of kid who is here every single day at practice. Even if he’s hurt. He doesn’t miss a minute. You can just see it kind of building up and finally we were able to unleash him.”
With that pent-up energy finally free to roam, Turker did not miss a beat as his arsenal of skills were on full display.
“He could do a little bit of whatever you want him to do,” Fisher said. “He could take the ball from the midfield and go by three or four guys and score himself. He can go up and win headballs, he’s very athletic in the box. He knows where to make runs in the box to get on the end of crosses and through balls. He’ll get in behind you with his pace and speed. He’s got various ways he can really beat you, which makes him so tough to take away because he can beat you in many different ways.”
Some of it is natural ability, but much of it is through hard work. Turker doesn’t limit his workouts to Ravens practice sessions.
“I’m training every day,” he said. “Obviously my recovery is important. I take a day off every week but being technical is very important, shooting is very important, so I focus on those. I typically juggle for 15 minutes or so every day, work on some foot skills and agility stuff.”
He also works a lot on his shot, which he feels contains some power.
“Me and my friends go to the (RHS) turf field, shoot around, have some small side scrimmages,” he said. “I think I’m dangerous anywhere inside 30 yards, but I don’t get those opportunities too much. Inside the box is where I’m most dangerous.”
Fisher noted that during his injury, Turker was using his left foot frequently, and feels that “His left foot has looked better than I’ve ever seen it. So, the silver lining here is that his left foot is probably much better than it was before the injury.”
Turker is hoping to finally have an injury-free season as a senior but for now he is focused on this year’s state tournament.
“We have potential to be one of the best teams in the state,” he said. “I think we can do great things this year.”
With Turker back in the lineup, anything is possible.
Ravens boys’ soccer player Bora Turker was tied with Adrian Ivanov for the team lead in scoring as of Oct. 22, 2022. (Photo by Rich Fisher.),
