This season, junior Steven Gifford was no stranger to the big games. After last season’s trip to the sectional final, where the boys fell 2-1 to Ramsey, and losing a large senior class, Gifford knew returning back to the final would be no easy task. Yet, he knew he and the boys would find a way.
“We all had some kind of motive to get this team back on its feet. So from the beginning, I think we outworked ourselves [and] we really outworked our talent,” Gifford said.
Gifford had more of a quiet year last year, dealing with a knee injury at the beginning of the season, but he solidified himself in the starting lineup and even notched a goal in the sectional semifinals against Glen Rock. He finished last season with 5 goals and 2 assists. This season, he more than tripled his goal-scoring with 19 goals and 3 assists, tying the single-season scoring record at Pascack Valley.
Gifford’s original goal was to beat out Shane Feder’s tally of 17 goals from last year, the team’s leading scorer from that sectional finalist team. However as the season came closer to an end, he realized that the record was close. For Gifford though, that was never the main focus.
“I think I most definitely could have had the record but I don’t necessarily look at that,” Gifford said. “I don’t care about how many goals I have. I care more about if we’re going to win games or not.”
This team-first mentality awarded Gifford with captainship this year, an uncommon honor for a junior. However, Gifford stepped into the role with confidence, knowing he needed to be a leader.
“We knew we had a talented squad, and getting everyone in the right headspace was a big part of winning our games,” Gifford said.
This year, the boys soccer team went 11-7-3, with two of the ties on their record being games won in penalties. The most recent tie was a penalty shootout upset over No.2 seeded Pompton Lakes in the quarterfinals of the sectional tournament on Sat Oct. 28. Although Gifford did not score in this game, with regulation ending 0-0, the team was able to come up with the win.
“We got to work that day, and luckily, we got into penalties and that was the result [that] came up for us,” Gifford said.
In the next round, a home semifinal game against No.11 seeded Indian Hills on Wed Nov. 1, was where Gifford shined. Again, being no stranger to the big moment, he notched two goals, including the game-winner just a minute into the second half. Although Indian Hills was a lower seed, Gifford made sure he and the squad did not underestimate them.
“Having a home game for the sectional semifinal was huge for us,” Gifford said. “I think we definitely went to that game with a lot of confidence, but we couldn’t underestimate them in the slightest.”
Gifford scored many of his goals by simply outworking the center backs. He would run from side to side chasing the ball down, either winning balls back to the midfield or taking them himself and creating a chance for him or a teammate.
His motto that “if you really want it, you can go get it” held true all season long, and allowed him to tie Michael Caminneci (Class of 2022) and Ryan Miller’s (Class of 2017) record of 19 goals in a single season.
Gifford was recognized for his play this year, earning a 1st Team All-League selection, a 1st Team All-County selection, and a 2nd Team All-North Jersey selection.
Gifford is uncertain of what the future holds in terms of soccer. He has always wanted to play soccer in college but knows the commitment it requires to go to ID camps and visit programs is challenging.
“It’d definitely be a dream come true for me,” Gifford said.
The future is bright for the Pascack Valley striker.
