Nov. 4, 2026
By Alae Laasri
Staff Writer
The boys varsity soccer team has faced highs and lows, closing its regular season on Oct. 24 with a record of eight wins, three ties and 10 losses.
The team endured a tough home defeat to New Milford High School in the first round of the Bergen County Invitational Tournament on Oct. 10. With that early advantage, the team appeared well-positioned to advance to the next round.
However, New Milford responded before halftime, scoring twice to cut Lyndhurst’s lead to 3-2. New Milford continued its comeback after halftime, scoring two more goals to win 4-3.
Junior left back Kellan De Koyer, who joined varsity last year, said the loss was especially unfortunate because LHS was fully capable of winning.
“Teamwork is everything. If you’re not working together as a team, things aren’t going to end well.”
“We showed we were the better team by scoring three goals,” De Koyer said. “We were dominating the game, both offensively and defensively.”
De Koyer said this season has been more challenging than the previous one, when the team went 15-6.
“The pressure of having to make an impact, like scoring or making an assist, [is intense] because at the end of the day, if [we] don’t score, we don’t win,” De Koyer said.
He said it is especially important to focus on teamwork when facing setbacks.
“We have to stay united, rely on our captains [senior center back Athan Hilas, center midfielder Leon Sahiti and center back Luke Werner] to bring us together and maintain a positive team spirit,” De Koyer said.
PHOTO BY GABE ULKER Senior midfielder Leon Sahiti looks for a pass to advance the play and create scoring opportunities for his team at a home game against Wood-Ridge High School on Oct. 21. LHS won 3-0.
Junior right back Alexander Mongelli, a second-year varsity player, said the players try to stay positive and supportive.
“If someone makes a mistake, we pick each other up instead of putting each other down. That helps us stay as a team through the ups and downs throughout the season,” Mongelli said.
He said that despite the disappointing result, the game highlighted the importance of communication and focus.
“Teamwork is everything. If you’re not working together as a team, things aren’t going to end well,” Mongelli said.
Sophomore striker Desart Goxhaj, who is in his second year on varsity, said he is proud of his teammates for the progress they have made.
“They might not realize how far we’ve come since the start of the season because we went from complications within the team to bouncing back from setbacks and changing our record drastically,” Goxhaj said.
Goxhaj, who has the team’s strongest record, finished the regular season with 15 goals and two assists, totaling 32 points.
Goxhaj said LHS’ 2-1 away win against Hasbrouck Heights High School on Oct. 7 stands out as an especially positive memory.
“[Hasbrouck Heights was] undefeated at 11-0, and we handed them their first loss of the season, which made me feel really proud to be a Lyndhurst Golden Bear,” Goxhaj said.
PHOTO BY GABE ULKER Junior midfielder Dylan Salme follows the play as junior right back Alexander Mongelli strikes the ball, sending a pass forward to help his team advance the attack at a home game against Wood-Ridge High School on Oct. 21. LHS won 3-0.
Junior midfielder Dylan Salme, who has been on varsity for three years, also recalled the Hasbrouck Heights game as a season highlight.
“It was their senior night, and we beat them at their house and played really well,” Salme said.
He said the team demonstrated what it can accomplish when its players work together, make the most of their opportunities and perform confidently.
Salme said playing soccer means a lot to him because he gets to share his passion with his friends.
“I look forward to next year because I know we will get better and have an even stronger team,” said Salme.
Check out the boys soccer scoreboard and sports HERE.
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