SBP Soccer Retains National Title
Again undefeated this season, the Graybees outscore opponents 79- 3
National Champions. Ranked No. 1 high school soccer team in the country. That was the previous season, so this year’ s team, headed by Coach Jim Wandling and his captains Gio Giammateo, Spencer Hambleton, and Miguel Alves, all knew that they were the target of every team in the country, but especially the teams that they had lined up in their challenging schedule this season. The season looked like it was going to depend on the backline defenders, with a relatively untested goalie in Mateo Zabala. The defense helped Mateo keep the opposing teams off-balance so that only a very few number of goals were scored against the Graybees. The midfield was well-managed by Josue Angel Espana, and he was joined in the front with several forwards: Michael Olla, who scored the first goal of the season; Niquell De Matas, Dominic Harrington, and Jose Maderos, who transferred to SBP this year. The addition of freshman John Antunes to the defense of Spencer Hambleton and Tyler Pinho allowed Coach Wandling to move Gio Giammateo into a scoring position, where he delivered several key goals and assists during the season. A major challenge arrived on a cold evening from the team from Scotch Plains, who kept the Graybees scoreless during the first half of the home game, in front of a huge crowd at Lubetkin Field( NJIT). After halftime, the Graybees quickly took the lead, and never looked back for the rest of the season. The SBP Soccer team again took the State Prep Championship, and finished once again at the top of the National Rankings, earning another star, the eighth on their jerseys as National Champions.
From left to right: Senior goalie Mateo Zabala only allowed 3 goals during the season, thanks in part to the strength of the defensive line; Michael Olla( 19); Tyler Pinho( 20); Wilbert Leveille( 34); Jonathan Moraes( 17); Gio Giammatteo( 5); Josue Angel España.
50 Telolog 2013 | Strength In Community