The Lawrence High boys soccer program has enjoyed a resurgence this fall, but coach Jeff Molinelli feels the boost started in 2022.
“Last year we started 2-8 and finished 8-12, so we started improving as the year went on,” Molinelli said. “They really started gaining confidence towards the end of the year. That carried over into the summer and we were lucky to have a nice start this year.”
As of Oct. 19 the Cardinals were 11-4-2 and perched third in Central Jersey Group III power points standings behind Steinert and Robbinsville (the states began Oct. 25).
They own victories over the defending state champion Ravens and always-powerful Notre Dame, a win and a tie against Allentown and a tie with Hopewell. The Bulldogs were fifth in CJ III power points and the Redbirds were 10th, so these were legitimate victories over quality sides.
“They were very big wins and it all starts from our passion, our spark, just really our fire to play and win the games we really needed to win,” senior midfielder Giovanni Ochoa said. “I’d probably say Robbinsville was our biggest one since they are returning state champs. We really made a statement to show other teams that we’re not just a walk-around. We’re gonna put up a fight to the end and we’re gonna win. And Notre Dame was really special because it’s a rivalry.”
The main nemesis has been Steinert, which took a dominating regular-season win over Lawrence, but needed a 4-3 edge in penalty kicks to advance from the first round of the Mercer County Tournament. There could be a third meeting if both teams make a run in the state.
Lawrence features a veteran outfit with seven returning starters, and the group needed to build on what it accomplished last October. That was done during the dog days of July and August, which morphed into a strong start to the regular season.
“We started playing really well in our summer league and our eight v eight tournament,” Molinelli said. “ That kind of carried over to our scrimmages, where we did very well. Against Hopewell we were up 2-0 and kind of let that slide (to a 2-2 tie). And (West Windsor-Plainsboro) South is always tough, we got a big win there. We lost to them 1-0 the last two years, it was nice to beat them and just get some wins to get confidence for the boys. I think they saw that if we were on, we could be a tough team.”
That’s exactly what they have been thanks to a strong mix of seniors and newcomers up from the JV.
The returning regulars feature midfielders Ochoa, Ethan DeLeon-Angon (9 goals, 3 assists), Raul Sepulveda and Darek Zajchowski, defenders Jackson Caruso and Josh Temple, forwards Felipe Noyola (6 goals, 4 assists) and Platon Trofimchuk, and goalie Edwin Garcia. DeLeon did not start last year but saw ample time, while Trofimchuk was on the bench last season until the Mercer County Tournament. This year he led the Cardinals through 17 games with 12 goals and 10 assists.
“We said ‘Who wants to step up’ and Platon said ‘I will,’ and he buried a couple goals (in the MCT) and hasn’t really left the field since,” Molinelli said. “He’s very crafty, able to get by defenders and draw center backs from the left wing, which opens up things for him.”
Temple is a forward who successfully converted to outside back, while Zajchowski comes off the bench to provide strong minutes at center-m id. Garcia is in his second year as ’keeper and had 119 saves and five shutouts in 15 matches.
“He’s done a great job,” Molinelli said. “He helped a ton last year, this year he’s had some really big saves. When we played Robbinsville they started peppering us a little bit and he had some big saves that kind of kept us in the lead, which was huge.”
Newcomers Travis Schubert and Tomasz Majkut have plugged the holes at center back “and they’ve done very well,” according to Molinelli. “They played JV all of last year and came up to play well on varsity, which is hard to do. They’ve been very solid.”
Sophomore Juan Vevolorio Ventrua filled in admirably when Jackson went out with injury, and Dmytro Naum, a transfer from Ukraine last year, has been solid at midfield and was second on the team in scoring with nine goals and five assists through 17 games.
“Last year I put him at outside back but I couldn’t really talk to him, and now he knows English pretty good,” Molinelli said. “The fact he went from knowing no English to now you can have a conversation with him is a huge credit to him. He’s a good player and he and Gio in the middle are very good.”
Darek Zajchowski, Kacper Kulesza and Andy Garcia have all provided strong minutes off the bench, which allows Molinelli to rest his starters without sacrificing quality of play.
Other seniors who have been quiet contributors are Aiden McGann, Mike Ramirez and Matt Procaccini.
“They’ve been program guys,” Molinelli said. “Some of them don’t get a ton of time, they don’t complain, they get after it and lead by example. When we need them, they step up. But even if they don’t get playing time they’re just the best leaders in practice. They keep holding people accountable. To have team-first guys who are seniors is huge.”
One of the team’s most valuable players is Ochoa.
“Gio is our glue, he’s a captain and he does an awesome job just keeping our offense and defense in our shape,” Molinelli said.
“I feel that being in this role comes naturally to me,” Ochoa said. “I’ve been doing this ever since I was a little kid, I really try to help the best that I can with the players and their confidence, just to get the best out of their abilities. I know what each of them can do on the field and how much of an impact they can make. I just try to motivate them to be the best players they can be.”
Molinelli feels his other two captains are also making their presence felt.
“Jackson Caruso has been playing with us since freshman year,” the coach said. “He was injured, came to every practice, worked his butt off to get healthy as fast as he could. He’s a tough, hard nosed kid, he wins a ton of tackles he leads by example. As our goalie, Edwin is very vocal, making sure we have our shape and different things.”
Ochoa pointed to Trofimchuk and DeLeon-Angon as juniors who have been pleasant surprises.
“Platon has really stepped up and tried to be a leader,” the midfielder said. “He’s very passionate on the field and tries to give us a spark when he’s on. Ethan has had a really big impact, he really gives us the spark we need. He’s always working hard on and off the field.”
Asked if he felt the Cardinals could have such a big turnaround after last year’s 8-12-1 record, Ochoa said, “I wasn’t really sure. I feel after all the hard hours we worked and all the practices we had to do, that it was gonna be a good year and we needed to make a statement. During the off-season we had to focus on our weaknesses and make our strengths even stronger.”
Molinelli felt it was just a matter of confidence. He knew most of the team improved as individuals from playing club ball year round, and working out with each other over the summer.
“I try to tell them ‘Believe you’re one of the best teams in the league everytime we step on the field,’” the coach said. “They have the ability to be that, and I think they’ve shown during a couple games we can be a tough team to beat.
“When one kid plays with confidence it definitely trickles down. The next kid plays with a ton of confidence, then the next kid. It’s been special to watch them play, they play hard. We’ve won some big games. I’m definitely proud of the guys.”
As well he should be, considering how it has brought the pride back to Lawrence High soccer.
Cardinals boys’ soccer senior midfielder Giovanni Ochoa (Photo by Sam Pastorella.),
