Trio of Ryans to Lead Boys Soccer in Hopes of Injury Free Season

The Blue Devils, so proficient on defense last year, lost quite a few players to graduation, but Kapner is eager to see what a new blend of youngsters will bring.

  

"It's going to be a lot of fun,'' said Kapner, who has been head coach of the boys since 1991. "We have a lot of above-average soccer players and no superstars. We're going to be very, very young certainly.''

    

Last year, the team rolled to an 11-1-1 start with victories over Elizabeth,
Cranford, Union, St. Peter's Prep, Newark East Side. The Blue Devils also beat Scotch Plains-Fanwood twice by 1-0 scores.

  

The team lost athletic goalie Mike Lessner—who had 11 shutouts—and defender Todd Saunders to graduation. Strikers Tom McManus (10 goals, seven assists), Mike Forgash (5 goals, two assists) and middie Kevin Murphy will be missed. Murphy had three goals and an assist. Middie Mike Irving had nine goals and four assists and middie Pat Tresnan was outstanding in the transition game along with outside halfback Andy Flood. The Blue Devils outscored opponents 34-11.  

 

Defense was a big part of the team's success last season with the likes of marking back Nick Breza and Saunders. Kapner said that it's possible the team will be a bit more offensive-minded this year.

    

"We are literally starting from scratch,'' the coach said. "We have some ideas. But it's high school sports at its best. It's like starting over. We're even thinking about putting in a new system. We have quality kids.''

  

Among the returners are junior middie Ryan Heine, senior back Ryan Krasnoo, and senior marking back Ryan Jennings. The team began practice Monday morning.

  

"If you find the right group of kids and they mesh as a unit you can have a great season,'' Kapner said. "I believe we can be.''

The Blue Devils open the season at East Brunswick Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. before returning to open the home season the following Thursday at Kehler Stadium for a 4 p.m. game with Cranford.