Over the past three seasons the RCGC men's soccer team has enjoyed a swift rise to respectability among NJCAA Division III programs. Coach George Hobbins and the Roadrunners hope to keep the momentum going with a new season on the horizon.
In 2016, the Roadrunners posted the school's best campaign in 20 years in compiling a 14-3-1 overall record, which included a runnerup finish to Bergen County College in the Region XIX championship. That finish improved dramatically upon an 8-8 record in 2015 and a 4-12-1 mark in 2014.
After being just one step away from qualifying for the NJCAA National Championship Tournament, RCGC will enter the 2017 campaign with a youthful but talented squad that hopefully will continue the program's recent success. Hobbins will have just five sophomores on his roster but will also field a talented core of freshmen hailing from all over South Jersey.
"We're a young team, but all of the players are very coachable," said Hobbins. "They listen to our staff and make every effort to make adjustments when needed. We're very hopeful entering the new season."
The 2017 season opens Saturday during the Coliseum Kickoff Classic at Herkimer College (New York), No. 4 in the NJCAA Top 10 Pre-season rankings, starting at 2:30 p.m. That match will be followed with a game against Broome CC (NY) on Sunday, also at 2:30. The Runners' first home game is set for August 31 in a 2:30 pm contest against Region XIX opponent Bucks CC (PA).
One of RCGC's top returnees will be sophomore goalkeeper Chris Lenahan (Schalick), a Second Team All-American with a 0.93 goals against average in 14 games last season. Lenahan allowed just 12 goals and recorded 68 saves for the Runners.
"Chris hopes to keep improving and should be a solid recruit for the next level of his college career," said Hobbins. "He works hard and sets a great example for the younger players, and we expect him to be a solid leader."
Lenahan will serve as one co-captain along with incoming freshmen Robert Andrews (Delsea Regional) and Dylan Skidmore (Glassboro). Andrews, a back, will look to fill a big void with the departure of All-American defensive specialist Brian Pilangi, while Skidmore should see plenty of action at midfield.
On the offensive side, the Roadrunners should receive plenty of goal production from freshmen forwards Zach Piro (Hammonton), Zach Bille (Collingswood), and Osman Barrie (Collingswood). Freshman Alejandro Rivera (Penns Grove) is also expected to contribute some scoring punch.
"From what we've seen in the scrimmages, all of these guys are dangerous and have the ability to get us in the scoring column at anytime," Hobbins said. "Hopefully we will have a balanced attack throughout the season."
RCGC should be strong on defense as well. Aside from Lenahan and Andrews stepping up, Hobbins expects solid production from sophomore center back Matt McHale (Cape May Tech) and freshman back Logan Jackson (Kingsway).
Other key players on the roster include freshman goal keeper/back Drew Smith (Kingsway), freshman midfielder Paolo D'Alessandro (Paul VI), sophomore forward Andre Ballou (West Deptford), sophomore back Paul Edmunds (Cape May Tech), and sophomore midfielder Ed Hemmings (Woodbury).
Additional players who will see action include freshmen Drew Amoroso (Schalick), Rajorn Elliott (Collingswood), Kevin Fareri (Schalick), DJ Matsinger (Gloucester Catholic), Robert Norton (Collingswood), Trey Parker (Woodstown), Ryan Pote (Gateway), Jose Ravelo (Pennsauken), Drew Smith (Kingsway), Elmer Sontay (Penns Grove), Andrew Sooy (Millville) and Nicolas Steigerwald (Gateway).
Hobbins expects the Roadrunners will engage in tough competition against Brookdale CC, second-ranked Camden CC, Sussex CC, Ocean CC and Bergen CC. The Runners received mention as a Top 15 team in the NJCAA Pre-season rankings.
Tim Schmitz and Stephen Hart will serve as RCGC assistants to Hobbins this fall.