Nov. 1, 2024
By Zana Lacka
Staff Writer
Despite having a season marked by injuries, the boys soccer team held a 15-6 winning record as of Oct. 31.
This season, senior Matthew Makar, junior Maksym Dmochowski, sophomore Athan Hillas and freshmen Ryan Kartanowicz and David Porras all sustained injuries, with Dmochowski and Porras returning to play in late September.
Senior captain and midfielder Isaac Camilo, who has been on varsity since his freshman year, said even though the team has a solid record, the players still need to focus on the mental aspect of the game.
“Lack of focus is why we lost those games,” Camilo said. “It’s up to everyone personally and what they want to make of the season.”
Camilo said the team has excelled because of its strong offense.
“We are pretty good at attacking. We have good strikers, good goal-scorers and the defense supplements [them] all,” Camilo said.
Senior midfielder Cristian Porras, who is in his third year on varsity after transferring to LHS as a sophomore, said he attributes the team’s success to the ability of its players.
“We are very good technically. All of us can play with the ball at our feet, but we haven’t really used that to our greatest [advantage],” Porras said.
He said the team needs to work on channeling its energy to play methodically.
“We just kick the ball up and run and chase the ball, when realistically we don’t have to. We need to pass the ball because we are better with the ball at our feet,” Porras said.
He said the most difficult part of soccer is maintaining a positive mindset.
“We are pretty good at attacking. We have good strikers, good goal-scorers and the defense supplements [them] all.”
“Bad things can get in your head very quickly and change your attitude,” Porras said.
Sophomore forward Ariston Nishevci, who is a second-year varsity member, said injuries have prevented the team from reaching its full potential in away games against Ramapo High School on Sept. 6, which ended in a 0-2 loss, and Rutherford High School on Sept. 10, which ended in a 1-5 loss.
“Almost all of our goalies have been getting injured,” Nishevci said. “Many key players were out for big games, which lowered morale.”
He said the home game against Weehawken High School on Sept. 12 was a highlight of the season because it encouraged the team to continue working hard.
“We were losing but showed a lot of character and came back and won,” Nishevci said.
Initially, Weehawken was leading 1-0, but Lyndhurst wound up securing a 2-1 victory.
Nishevci said he is optimistic about the team’s performance during the rest of the season.
“The talent is there. We just need to stay focused and disciplined if we want to achieve success,” said Nishevci.
