Sports

Sports & Recreation

Following 1-2 start, Golden Bears look to now as a turning point

Photo courtesy of Rob Dasler

Left to Right: Lyndhurst boys soccer captains Jonas Amaral, Nicolas Kaden, Thomas Rogan and Ali Celik.

By Jason Bernstein

jason@theobserver.com

Head Coach Emad AbuHakemah could have easily been dismayed by seeing his Lyndhurst boys’ soccer team start the season with a 1-2 record.

But rather than be dismayed by those two losses — a 2-1 defeat at Saddle Brook and 1-0 at Harrison — the results have AbuHakemah more steadfast in the belief that wins and success are coming soon for the Golden Bears.

The two games that we lost, I think we played really well, but unfortunately the score (wasn’t in our favor),” he said. “After Thursday night (in Harrison), I told them this team isn’t going to lose too many games. I think that game will be the turning point of our season.”

Lyndhurst returns six starters from last year’s 14-6 team including, perhaps, the area’s most versatile player in Lucas Baroni. The senior is one of the better goalkeepers in Bergen County, but is also a fine offensive talent as well. The result? Baroni will see time both in net and up top at forward.

“Lucas wanted to play the field,” Abu-Hakemah said. “He’s an outstanding goalkeeper, but he’s an athlete. He’s a true athlete and he’s a good finisher.”

When Baroni is playing at forward, like he did when he scored the lone goal against Saddle Brook, goalkeeping responsibilities fall upon experienced sophomore Matthew Makar, who also started against Wood-Ridge.

Senior Thomas Rogan is a returning starter at center back, where he’ll be joined by classmate Nick Arvanitakis. Nicke Kaden returns at right back and sophomore Bartu Akar takes over at left back.

Promising sophomore Cristian Porras, a transfer from Union City will also see time as a defender as well as versatile sophomore Andrew Carrion.

Abu-Hakemah is unafraid to play multiple formations, thanks to his depth and versatility in the midfield. Lyndhurst brings back both of their holding center midfielders from last season in Jonas Amaral, a senior captain, and sophomore Isaac Camilo.

Ali Celik, who had 14 goals and 14 assists last year is also back in the midfield.

Inexperienced NA volleyball team may have a tough road ahead

By Jason Bernstein

jason@theobserver.com

Despite graduating nearly the entire lineup from last year’s stellar 15-10 team, North Arlington girls’ volleyball coach Joseph Cioffi was optimistic that this year’s group had the potential to compete with some of the best in the NJIC.

While the Vikings’ three early losses were a reminder of the growing pains that come with such inexperience, their one win was the definitive proof Cioffi and his young roster needed of what it’s capable of.

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, North Arlington posted an eyebrow-raising 26-24, 2725 victory over Rutherford, one of gold standards for small-school volleyball, winning 20 or more games each of the last six full seasons.

“The girls have the desire to compete at a high level no matter what their experience is,” Cioffi said. “To go out and win the way we did and fight as hard as we did shows that the girls have what it takes to compete against these top teams in the NJIC.

“I never had any doubt in my mind that the girls could compete at a high level. These girls are talented and they always bring positive energy when they’re out on the court. My only concern was that when they see these teams on the schedule and then overthink things. (That) Tuesday night, they didn’t think, they just went out there and played.”

Leading the way has been outside hitter Grace Alho, the lone returning starter. The 5-foot-3 senior had six kills, six digs and four aces and has been the on and off-court leader they needed.

“She has done a phenomenal job since the season started and I’m going back to June when we had a team meeting,” the coach said. “She has been pushing these girls to show up to summer league games, to make sure they’re at practice every day. She’s been very vocal in a very positive way. She’s taken the leadership role tremendously and I can’t thank her enough for what she’s done.”

North Arlington’s offense has been bolstered by the return of junior Rhi’Anna Gomez, who missed all of last season due to injury.

“It’s honestly been like she’s never been off the court,” Cioffi said. “She’s picked up, she’s made adjustments. She adjusted her style of play.”

In the middle is sophomore Sara Silva, who at 5-foot-8, is the tallest girl on the roster.

“She can play in the middle, she can play outside. She’s really improved her back row play,” Cioffi said. “She had a couple of nice aces that allowed us to stay in the game when we were down four or five points in the second set and allowed us to make a comeback.”

Another sophomore, Olivia Sanchez, is the other starting middle.

Junior Jaylene Joza, one of the area’s better softball talents, is a first-year