After two years on the road, the Glen Rock Boys Soccer team is excited about their upcoming season on the new home turf fields and has set their focus on the league title.

After last year’s record of 5-12 the team is looking for redemption. Seniors Christian Vila and Jake McMahon lead the team as captains, while head coach Paul Cusack works to make sure the team is at the top of their game.

“We are optimistic about the upcoming season and are looking to bounce back after last year,” said Vila.

For Vila and McMahon it was an honor for their teammates to choose them as Captain. Taking on a new role on the team could be a difficult transition for some, but they seem to have no problem.

“I’m embracing the role as a leader,” said Vila, “Jake and I understand our responsibility of keeping the team together and motivated.”

Joining McMahon in the midfield will be Senior, Matt Debonis, and Junior, Garrett Rosen. The offensive powerhouses on the team include Senior, Danny Hahn, and Junior, Matt Zakowski. Seniors Anthony D’Onofrio and Timothy Hahn will hold the defense with Hahn returning as the team’s starting goalie.

In addition to competing for the league title, the team hopes to get a spot in the county and the state tournaments.

The team plays in the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 conference and has a tough schedule ahead of them. Their major competition are teams such as Rutherford (whom the boys tied on Thursday, September 19^th) as well as Pompton Lakes (3-1). The Panthers will take on Pompton Lakes away this Friday, September 27.

The team is especially fired up for the 2013 season and part of that may have to do with the brand new turf fields that have recently opened. The main football field was completed and ready for use October of last year, yet the lower soccer fields still had a ways to go before they could be played on. Finally, after a long awaited reconstruction the fields are complete.

Vila commented, “It’s very exciting playing on a new field and being back at home.”