NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - After capturing back-to-back state championships, North Salem boys soccer enters the upcoming season with a familiar goal - and a very different team.
The Tigers will attempt to make it three consecutive state titles, but the road back to glory will be challenging. North Salem graduated 10 seniors from last year’s squad, along with nine players from the previous championship team.
After the historic feat of back to back titles, Coach Ron Hendrie knows the Tigers will be getting every opponent’s best effort.
“The target on our backs is even bigger now,” Hendrie said.
The Tigers’ schedule will provide plenty of tests, including matchups with Briarcliff, Pleasantville and Nyack.
Despite the turnover, Hendrie has been encouraged by what he has seen from his players. The team members spent much of the offseason preparing on their own, and their commitment has carried into preseason.
“This team rivals last year’s in terms of motivation,” Hendrie said.
Jason Gjushi has emerged as a team leader and captain, while Nico Maya and Liam Keegan give the Tigers tremendous ball control and field vision. Juben Lazri brings a knack for finding the back of the net, while Isaac Rouse provides athleticism and a relentless pursuit of the ball. On defense, Steven Gamez combines defensive prowess with the ability to help build the attack from the back.
North Salem will also look to several newcomers to make an immediate impact.
Josef Vorfi and Matteo Maya have impressed in goal, while Patrick Fitzgerald has shown a dominant presence on defense. Adrian Ortiz has demonstrated strong ball control and an ability to combine with his teammates. Mason Bertolini has displayed defensive prowess and ball control, and Nico Salinas has provided a strong physical presence on defense.
Still, Hendrie understands that defending a state championship is a different challenge than winning one in the first place.
“Defending a state title is never an easy thing to do, particularly because every rival team is bringing their ‘A’ game to us,” he said. “They need to play one ‘A’ game, but we need to play at the top of every single one of our games.”
That means the Tigers will have little room for complacency as opponents look to knock off the reigning champions.
“They will be coming at us with the goal of taking down the back-to-back state champions,” Hendrie said.
For North Salem, however, the season is about more than simply trying to extend its championship streak. With so many new faces, the Tigers will have to develop their identity and chemistry along the way.
“We are a very different team and we will need to be prepared for a very challenging season,” Hendrie said.
So far, the coach has liked what he has seen.
“The guys showed up on the first day with a drive and determination that rivals last year’s - the best I had ever seen,” Hendrie said.
Now the Tigers will find out how that motivation translates when the games begin. For a program that has spent the past two seasons at the top of the state, the challenge is to build something new while maintaining the standard that came before it.
“It is my hope that with this amazing group of young men we will have an enjoyable time growing our game together and, who knows, perhaps some victories will follow,” Hendrie said.
The Tigers are set to open the season on the road against Carmel on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 5 p.m.
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