Veterans aim to propel PV soccer back to tournament play

Head coach: Roy Nygren (9th season)

Last year’s record: 12-6

Key returnees: Ryan Miller (Sr. M), Michael Lin (Sr. F), Jacob Ricco (Sr. D), Carson Weis (Sr. M/D), Emilio Quevedo (Sr. D), Jon Dinnell (Sr. M), Josh Ulin (Jr. G), Andrew Tateossian (Jr. M), TJ Mastowski (Jr. M), Matt Harris (Jr. D)

Key losses: Kyle McManus (M/F), Theo Morris (D), Andrew Varteresian (M/F), Alex Lin (F/M)

Key newcomers: Justin Schaumberger (Jr. M), Christian Dimitri (So. M), Braden Schwartz (Fr. F), Ryan Mastowski (Fr. M/F), Nate Dedrick (Fr. D)

Strengths of team: Valley will be able to rely on some familiar faces to provide offensive firepower this year, as Michael Lin and Ryan Miller return to the team coming off a 2015 season in which they combined for 34 goals and both received All-County awards. Including this dynamic goal-scoring duo, eight starters will be returning to the team from last year’s campaign. This experience will be a key factor for the team moving forward, as the guys who have played at this level before will know what it takes to build upon their impressive record last year. Also, this experience translates into chemistry, as Nygren noted that the players get along on and off the field, have a good feel for each other’s game, and they are able to make to make selfless “soccer plays” that benefit the team.  

Areas that need improvement: With returning faces from a league-winning squad all over the field, there isn’t one specific area that the Indians are focusing on improving upon. However, the six losses they had last season show that PV is not a perfect team. “I don’t think we are outstanding in any one area, but we are very good in every area,” said coach Nygren. “We certainly can improve everywhere. When you start talking about elite level, you start getting into some uncharted ground.” Nygren does believe that his group of guys are “up there with the big boys”, but knows that small improvements are necessary to compete with the best of them.

Outlook:  The Indians are an athletic group who carry over much success from the previous season and hope to continue doing so. They will start by looking to improve their record and repeat as winners of the Big North National Division. Valley will also be concentrated on their games in the Bergen County tournament. Winning two games, including an upset against top-seeded Bergen Catholic, PV was able to make it to the semifinals last year. Nygren said that if his guys can stay healthy, there is no reason they cannot make it that far again. With an early exit in their state tournament last year, the boys will also be looking to prove themselves in postseason play.

Coach’s comment: “Last year was a great year for us, but we came out of the weeds. This year, we are the hunted. It’s a whole different challenge on our hands. We are embracing the attention and it is well deserved, but we have to get out here and work as hard as we can. We are committed to each other and to giving our best effort day in and day out.”