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Lofty goals for Verona Soccer program
An early rise to the alarm clock’s piercing morning buzz will be followed by an intense conditioning session under the August heat. Leg cramps will be a nagging reminder that perhaps a more consistent summer workout regiment should have been in order.
Sweat stains will tinge the shirts of those in attendance while the most daunting task of all, a mental battle against all that the human body knows to be sane, will jog through the minds of everyone on the field at the Verona Community Center’s Centennial Field.
Yes, this is the best time of year for high school soccer players across the nation. A team morale characterized by high expectations, exciting uncertainty and the idea of a clean slate is all the motivation necessary to survive those trying double-sessions. For the boys of the Verona High School Hillbillies, it is the look ahead rather than the look behind that keeps their legs pumping.
Coming off of a 7-12 season that saw a second-round exit at the hands of the Millburn Millers in the Essex County Tournament, their goal of making the state tournament for the first time in more than 20 years may seem lofty. Nevertheless, the Maroon and White, led by seniors Chris Lavery, Ryan Muirhead, Anthony Hart, Jeff Ruchik and Tom McMahon, like their odds.
“Making states is definitely our goal. It’s been a long time for this program,” said Muirhead, who led the team with 14 assists from center midfield last season.
The Hillbillies are looking to establish a winning tradition, and as the boys knocked around the ball at the Verona Community Center soccer field on Monday afternoon, they looked poised to do so.
It’s been a busy off-season for many members of the soccer team, and so far, Head Coach Wayne Looney likes what he has seen.
“This year there were more kids playing outside of the high school season than ever before,” Looney said. “We had a bunch of the kids playing in the Morris County travel league.
“Every season we want to be able to play in counties, which we have done the last two years, and we also want to qualify for states. Working hard the way these kids did during the off-season will help us achieve those goals.”
In addition, Looney, who is plans to use a 4-4-2 formation with four defensive backs, four midfielders and two forwards, said that development of the defense will be essential to realizing the team’s goals.
“I played sweeper and stopper throughout my career so I focus on defense first,” Looney said. “The ability to get everyone in the offense is what I want to improve on.
“Eventually, I’d like to try and play a three-man back formation, but I don’t see that happening until I see how our defense falls into place.”
Their defense, anchored by McMahon who has been Looney’s starting goalie for the last three years, is hoping for a stellar season. McMahon said that he believes many opposing offenses will be stifled this year.
“I want to get at least five shut-outs this season,” McMahon said.
In order for Verona to turn McMahon’s aspirations into a reality, however, Looney and his seniors must first develop the up-and-coming underclassmen into legitimate competitors on the soccer field.
With six returning starters surrounded by a host of newcomers, bringing the surplus of freshmen and sophomores up to speed will be essential for a state tournament berth.
Hart said that the seniors realized early on the importance of helping the younger players along.
“As seniors, it is our job to break in the younger kids,” Hart said. “The younger guys outnumber us, so we’re going to need them.”
With September looming, the Hillbillies are looking to polish their game up in time for the onset of the regular season. Looney said he is proud of the productive off-season and said it is a testament to the team’s identity.
“Last year, I can honestly say that there wasn’t one team that worked as hard as we did,” Looney said. “I hope I can say the same for this season.”
With the emerging talent that the Verona soccer team carries behind its six returning starters, the Hillbillies believe that dedication on the soccer field will lead to Verona’s first state tournament berth since before any of the programs’ 39 players were born.
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