Senior co-captain Adrian Cano has been a major contributor to the Pascack Valley Boys Soccer Team this season. In September, Cano scored 10 goals and tallied 2 assists. 

The senior striker also had two hat tricks in the month of September — one against St. Joe’s on Sept. 8 and another against Teaneck on Sept. 30.

As a three-year starter, Cano has taken on a larger leadership role this season. 

“Since I’m one of the older guys, I have a lot of experience,” said Cano. “That helps me be more of a leader for most of the younger guys.”

With time ticking down in his high school soccer career, Cano has a major motivator and goal for this season. 

“Since it’s my senior year, I think of it as my last chance to win a state title, and that’s basically been my goal since sophomore year when we were state finalists,” Cano said. 

Coach Luciano Cofrancesco and Cano have a close relationship, and both spoke positively of one another.  

“Adrian’s been doing a really nice job for us this year,” Cofrancesco said. “I know his stats are up there — which is great — but he’s been doing a lot behind the scenes, too.”

Cano added, “If I or any of the captains have any ideas for a game plan, I’ll go talk to [Cofrancesco], and he’s very open to stuff like that. And if he’s reprimanding us, it’s for a good reason.”

To prepare for games, Cano usually stretches for 30 minutes and then uses a massage gun for 20 minutes. He also uses over-the-counter relievers such as Biofreeze and Icy Hot for recovery.

“I can’t take any games off because it’s senior year and I can’t miss any more time,” Cano added.

As Adrian considers his future, he is undecided about his continuation of playing soccer at the college level. 

“That’s something I’ve been thinking about for a little bit, and I actually haven’t decided yet whether I want to keep playing.”

Senior co-captain for the Girls Soccer team Allie Polyniak is reflecting on her soccer career and the legacy she’s leaving at Pascack Valley High School.

So far this season, Polyniak has 7 goals and 8 assists, ranking No. 2 in total points in the Big North National Division.

The Pascack Valley Girls Soccer Team is currently 9-2-1, and Polyniak has played a massive role in the success of the team with her leadership, consistency, and ability to elevate her teammates.

When talking about how motivated she has been this season, Polyniak credits her teammates and Coach Leah Jerome.

“We want to go into every game saying that we want to win every single game,” Polyniak said.  “We want to be 1-0 for the week.”

While Polyniak supports this 1-0 mindset, she said it started from Coach Jerome. 

“[Jerome] came up with the line, but I feel like we always enforce it before every game,” Polyniak said.

When talking about her role as a senior on her team, Polyniak thinks it doesn’t matter what grade you’re in — anyone can be a leader. 

“We are all obviously a team, and you don’t have to be a senior to motivate each other, but we all have to believe and have the confidence,” Polyniak said. “And then if we all play like that, then it doesn’t matter if you’re a senior or not …”

Her high school career is a testament to that statement. As a freshman, Polyniak said she wasn’t a major part of the team. But over her high school journey, she has slowly built herself into the driving force of this team.

Jerome agrees as well, saying Polyniak’s growth from freshman to senior year has been a highlight of coaching her. 

“Allie has been a tremendous leader for our program,” Jerome said. “She’s a co-captain who leads by example. She has tremendous energy, such a love for the game and for this program. On the field, she’s got great skill — she’s a difference-maker. But what stands out most is how far she’s come.”

Polyniak also praised Jerome.

“I know I can [go] to her about anything, not just soccer,” Polyniak said. “She’s always there for me, and that support extends to everyone on the team. That’s what makes her so important to us.”

Many top athletes have pregame rituals. For Polyniak, she is focused on every little thing she does. From putting on her cleats in a certain order, to what she eats before a game; she has found a ritual that has worked.

“I’m very superstitious,” Polyniak said with a laugh. “I always put on my right cleat first. Same shin guards. I put my hair up the same way, eat exactly a half hour before the game, and listen to the same songs. It just helps me feel locked in.”

While Polyniak does not have plans to play soccer in college, she reminisced on the impact she will leave at Pascack Valley.

“I want people to remember that you can always build yourself up,” she said. “Freshman year, I wasn’t a big part of the team. But I stayed confident, built relationships with my teammates, and grew into a leader. If I could do that, anyone can.”