With a winning record and high spirits, the boys’ soccer team has started off on the right foot. Recent victories against St. Mary’s, Weehawken, and Paterson Charter have proved the team as a competitive force in the league.

The entire team has high expectations and hopes for a minimum of ten wins. They are also chasing their goals of defeating their biggest threat, Wallington, and entering States and Counties by late October. Under the leadership of Senior Captains Tommaso Dato and David Riano, the players work to improve every game and remain a strong opponent.

“Their fitness, footwork, and confidence all progressed and improved. [The captains] set an example for the younger players with both their actions and vocal motivation,” said Coach Shin.

Senior varsity goalie Elvis Carino has been a vital player on the field and one of the main reasons for many wins. Although he will be saddened to leave his high school team at the end of the season, he is determined to make his last season a positive one one.

“At the end of the year I believe I did everything I could to make the team better and more successful, as well as myself,” said Elvis.

Captain David Riano said, “I’ve had too many great experiences during my time on Becton soccer and I don’t want to leave such an amazing program.”

Although the team lost numerous seniors last year that formed its strong defense, several freshmen and returning players have stepped up to the challenge to fill these spots. The summer was spent reconstructing their starting line-up and training players for new positions.

Coach Shin stated, “It is a fact of life. Each summer we have to rebuild.”

Using a ruling series of steps, the coach challenges the boys to commit to individual and overall improvement, academically, athletically, and personally. Mr. Shin’s favorite quote, by Vince Lombardi, gets him through each day, practice, and game.
“We are going to relentlessly chase perfection, know full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence,” he quoted.

Much like the boys’ soccer team, the Becton and Wallington Girls’ Soccer Team has entered the season with unmatched drive and strength displayed by their winning record. The team hopes to use their winning momentum from victories against Paterson Charter, St. Mary’s, Dickinson, and Weehawken to fuel them for upcoming games.

The girls work together to create a strong bond on the field and on a personal level. “My entire team looks forward to practice because it’s a time where we all come together and have fun,” said Senior Tanya Sanchez. “I love my teammates. They’re my sisters.”

Senior Captains Devyn Di Meola of Becton and Dorota Majda of Wallington High School strive to motivate the team and prepare them for competitive games against talented teams like Hasbrouck Heights and Saddle Brook.

“Not only has my defensive ability improved, but I’ve also become a much stronger leader,” said Devyn, regarding her second year as captain.

Both Tanya, Devyn, and Senior Tania Castro agree that last year’s victory against Saddle Brook was an amazing feeling and an extremely gratifying moment.

The seniors accompanied Coach Lohman through her first four years of coaching soccer. Not only has she seen the girls improve as individuals throughout their soccer careers, but she also strives to better the program and team every day.