Senior striker Michael Caminneci

Name: Michael Caminneci

Sport: Boys Soccer

Grade: Senior

Position: Forward

Recent team results: Lost 3-0 to Summit in Group 3 semifinals

Previously won the North 1, Group 3 sectional final against Roxbury 2-1.

Final Stats and Achievements on the Season:

19 goals, 6 assists, 1st team Bergen County, 1st team Big North, Selected for BCSA All-Star Game, Selected for the North vs. South All Star Game

Leadership as a Captain

Caminneci was selected as a captain by his teammates along with Max Van Gyzen. Caminneci was very grateful for being voted as captain and they both had impacts on and off the field for the team.

“One of the main roles was to keep the team in good morale in good times, but more importantly, in bad times,” Caminneci said.

Coming into the state tournament Valley was seeded as No.12 seed.

“After [winning] the Bergen Cup, our expectations were set high, regardless of our seed.” Caminneci said. “We were hoping to make a run in the state tournament before the season had even started.”

After defeating Garfield and Tenafly in the first two rounds, Valley set its sights on Ramapo.

“Going to [Ramapo] was also a very memorable game and not knowing if Co was going to be there definitely gave us a fire in our stomachs. We knew we were playing for something greater than ourselves from that point on.” Caminneci said. “We carried that same fire to Roxbury and it just felt great to prove the state wrong.”

The Goal at “Po”

The game in Ramapo went into double overtime, and thanks to a rocket from Caminneci, Valley was able to advance. 

“Shane Feder laid the ball off to me, and everything from there on out was a blur. I planted my left foot and hit the best ball of my career.” Caminneci said. “After that game, we knew tears were going to be shed, regardless of the result.” 

Here is another view of the goal. pic.twitter.com/AYWZtr761x

— PV Student Publication Sports (@pvsportscenter) November 9, 2021

The player-coach relationship

Michael’s coach, coach Cofrancesco, was a big reason why they made it as far as they did in the state playoffs. A team is only as strong as the relationships that the coaches have with their players, and that’s exactly what the team exemplified. 

“Co’s relationship with us was less of a coach and player relationship; it was more of a father son relationship with everyone. He had a personal relationship with everyone on the field. Every summer practice, every sprint, every time we scrimmaged, there was always a smile on our faces,” Michael says. “No one ever dreaded coming to practice.” 

Throughout all three years that Michael’s been on varsity, he and Co built a strong bond. Their relationship was another reason why Co and the rest of the team were able to trust Caminneci as one of their captains.

“Caminneci was a real leader for the team this year. Mike was always there when the team needed him,” Cofrancesco said. “It isn’t his goals that will be missed but the young man that he is.”

Role Models

Michael Caminneci’s brother, Gregory, played a large role in influencing Michael to be the great player that he is today. Michael’s love for the sport came when he was only seven, watching his brother play for Pascack Valley in his senior year. Fast forward to 2021, and the roles are reversed. Gregory was one of Michael’s biggest fans and came to as many of Michael’s senior games that he could. 

“[Gregory] and my dad are always in my corner. In the state tournament, [Gregory] came to all of them and on the field, he would always give me tips.” Caminneci said, “He was always someone I could look up to and get advice from.”

Aspirations

After coming off such a strong senior season, there’s no doubt that Michael would have plans to continue his soccer career in the future. Whether it’s getting a scholarship from a college or walking on at whatever college he goes to, this isn’t the end of Michael Caminneci’s soccer career.

“I definitely want to play in college. I think [playing in] college is my future.”