Kittatinny boys’ soccer team set goals for the season

NEWTON — The Kittatinny High School boys’ soccer team need look no further than its own division (the Northwest Jersey Athletic conference Freedom Division) to find some of the toughest competition that they will see all season. Adding to a what will already be a difficult trek through considerable tough schedule this fall is knowing that the Cougars lost key players from a squad that finished 10-8-1 overall and advanced to the second round of the NJSIAA North I Group II Sectional Tournament before losing to Mahwah in 2012.

“This year is one of transition for us,” Kittatinny head coach Chris Cummins said. “A group of role players from a year ago are going to have to step into leadership positions with the loss of several talented players through graduation. We will play hard and the talent is still here to compete at a high level.”

Kittatinny isn’t cowering away for the competition that they have to face. Instead they are preparing to meet it without fear as they once again have their sights set on a strong season.

“The (NJSIAA Sectional) Tournament berth is always a goal as well as a division title,” Cummins said. “With local teams such as Newton having the success that they’ve had recently makes those goals lofty, but well within reach.”

Members of the senior class returning with varsity experience include Travis Fernandez (goal keeper), Jeremy Koerber (defender), Kevin Tosti (midfielder) and Matt Zupkay (midfielder). Also returning to the varsity roster are junior Brendan McNamee (midfielder) and sophomore Matt Salerno (forward).

Among the new faces to the varsity roster who may very well aide with considerable contributions include Dallas Pyskaty (senior, forward), Jared Schreiber (sr., midfielder), Kevin Sommer (sr., midfielder), Tom Chemati (junior, defender), Kevin Sommer (jr., midfielder) and Kevin Zoellner (jr., defender).

“With an inexperienced group, Brendan McNamee will be looked upon to control the midfield as well as to provide much needed goal scoring,” Cummings said. “Jeremy Koerber is a now four-year starter who will need to lead a relatively inexperienced back line and Travis Fernandez is as much of a leader in front of the net that a coach can ask for. A number of other seniors will need to step into leading roles this season for this team to achieve the success that is possible.”