Boys soccer team aims to win division

The Lenape Valley Regional High School boys soccer team got off to a blazing start this fall, compiling a 3-0 record through Sunday, Sept. 17.

The Patriots outscored their first three opponents by a combined score of 19-0.

They are scheduled to host Morris Catholic on Friday, Sept. 22.

“Our main goal is to work as a team to reach a division championship,’’ head coach Peter Scholl said. “We came in second last year, so those players who fell short last season will be looking to come back this year and claim the title.’’

Among the returning varsity student athletes are seniors Matthew Cardin (winger), Ryan Lachman (winger), Nicholas Madrid center midfield), Cristian Morales (midfield), Timothy VanKlingeren (goal keeper) and Aidan Waters (striker); juniors Lucas Granada (striker and midfielder), Matthew Grochulski (;central defense), Alfredo Lopez (;central defensive midfielder), Tyler Ruppert (;outside defensive back) and Dan Wraith (winger); and sophomores Liam Ableson (striker and midfielder), Kevin McGroarty (central defense) and Johan Zizajkovski (winger).

Promising newcomers include senior Onuche Adejoh (winger), junior Robert Hathaway (defensive back), and sophomores Jacob Rodriquez (defensive back), Anthony Monroy-Barrientos (defensive back), Elias Baladi (winger), Olivier Boguski (goal keeper) and Jacob Segura (goal keeper).

“There are several athletes that I am looking to for leadership this season,’’ Scholl said. “I am hoping to see our captains, Nico Madrid and Tim VanKlingeren, take a vocal role in setting the tone for our team both in practices and during matches.

“I will be looking to Matt Grochulski to take command of our defensive shape the season. We will be looking to great players like Aiden Waters, Lucas Grenada and Fredo Lopez to elevate our play and lead through example. All of these players know what needs to be done to achieve success and will be pushing our team to do the best they possibly can.’’

Last year, the Patriots posted an overall record of 9-8, and they were 7-3 in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Colonial Division.

This season, they compete in the NJAC Colonial Division along with Morris Tech, Sussex Tech, Wallkill Valley, Kittatinny and Hopatcong.

Lenape Valley advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 1 Group 2 Sectional Tournament, where they were defeated by Demarest in 2022.

“We will be a contender in our division,’’ the coach said. “Wallkill Valley and Kittatinny will show us the most challenge in our division this year. Both of these teams have some great players returning this season.’’