Though little was expected from the 2021 Hopewell Valley Central High School boys’ soccer team, it won the Central Jersey Group III title.
With a little more expected this year, what might the Bulldogs accomplish?
“I think we’re capable of even more this year,” senior forward Tom Hooks said. “Last year we went out in the semifinals of the states. We have so many new good players this year, I think we can win it.”
That’s pretty optimistic talk considering Hopewell lost two 20-plus goal scorers in twin brothers Nick and Alex Tagliareni. With their departure, it may seem to observers from outside the program that Hopewell will be down after its 19-5 season.
But the players feel it’s just the opposite.
“I think it’s gonna be a lot of déjà vu because we have a lot of returners this year,” senior midfielder Austin Warren said. “People think we’re gonna lock up offensively, but with me and (Hooks) up there, I think we’re pretty confident.”
There is a reason for such good cheer. Yes, the twins took 43 goals and 27 assists with them to college. But here’s the rub.
Last year, Hooks, Warren and junior Chris Turnbull were all playing out of position. This year, they all return to their natural spots, which should mean a nice bump in their production.
Hooks, who scored six goals last year, goes from midfield to forward. Warren, who had two goals and six assists, goes from center back to center midfield. Turnbull (13 assists) also goes from center back to center mid.
“It definitely was a challenge trying to learn the position, where to be on the field,” Warren said. “As it developed, I remembered I played defense when I was younger, so it kind of came back to me a little bit. But I’m super excited to go back on offense. I feel like I’m in the best shape ever, and I’m back to my natural position. I’m excited to get back to midfield.”
Hooks, who moved to America from Nottingham, England, 10 years ago, is feeling that same excitement.
“It was a little tough at the start last year,” he said. “I had to learn to play the position and throughout the season I was moved around quite a bit. It was a little difficult to keep changing my position. But now with a lot of the new younger players coming in, it feels better, because everyone is able to play more where we like to play.”
Head coach “Uncle” Ed Gola feels that the first thing most people will look at is Hopewell losing their high-scoring twins. But the veteran coach observed that underclassmen like Turnbull, Rex Peters and Richie Kiefer all got starting time or played ample minutes off the bench.
“Depthwise, I think we’re gonna be pretty deep,” Gola said. “We have 13 guys returning. Austin, Chris and Tom are all returning to their natural positions. So yes, we’re losing a lot of goals. But we’re bringing back a lot more experience and depth than last year. We have guys like Alex Luedecke (three goals, two assists) back as a senior, he had some big goals for us.
“Austin, Warren and Turnbull are more natural playmakers, and Hooks up top has a lot of speed and can finish. In that respect, on paper we should be a more complete team. We just might not be as dynamic as the Tagliarenis were.”
Warren joked he and Hooks will be harder to mark because “we don’t look like each other.” Hooks feels that “we have a lot of good passers up top this year, I think we’ll spread it around in the front more.”
Senior Gunner Casano is a key returnee in the back, while junior Alex Syzmanik and senior Kenzie Bangerter will battle to see who can replace Austin Roell in goal.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what those guys can do,” Gola said. “They’ve been working hard, and I can’t wait to see them. And we should be a pretty good sized team this year. A little physical, tall in the box.”
The coach is also excited to see Hooks and Warren back in their regular positions.
“Tom Hooks rotated in the midfield with Alex and Kyle and scored two goals against Princeton,” Gola said. “When Nick (Tagliareni) got hurt in the sectional, we pushed him up to forward. It’s tough to say during the middle of the state tournament, ‘Oh by the way, you’ve been playing midfield all year, you’re going up top.’ But he did what he could. He scored the sectional final winner (against Long Branch). He’s got a great shot, he’s strong, he’s fast. I wouldn’t say he’s quick, but he’s tough to contain.
“Warren is a natural, fluid athlete. He plays basketball and soccer. He really plays with a lot of confidence through the midfield. It’s like, ‘You’re gonna have to stop me,’ not, ‘What am I gonna do with the ball?’ He’s very strong, and he and Hooks are both pretty big players.”
In looking back on last year, Gola was encouraged at how the team goals started at a mild level, and increased as the season went along.
“Every time we won a game or met a challenge, it was very rewarding and good to see it with these guys,” he said. “They met every expectation.”
The coach feels this year’s cast of players have raised their preseason hopes with 13 players returning, but noted that the competition could be a little tougher.
“I think in the CVC (Colonial Valley Conference) it’s gonna tighten up,” Gola said. “Last year we were coming off Covid, there were a bunch of new coaches, they all got their feet wet. Now, they’ll be better adjusted and well equipped. There were some teams that were very young that will bring everybody back.
“We’ll just worry about what we need to do. We’ve loaded up the schedule, we’re playing Pennington and Pingry, so we’re gonna try to see where we measure so we’re ready for the county tournament and sectionals.”
The players are excited to see just how ready they are.
Hopewell Valley’s Tom Hooks and Austin Warren are two of the players expected to pick up the scoring for the graduated Tagliareni twins. (Photo by Rich Fisher.),
