The Cresskill boys soccer team has high hopes as they recently took their first steps into the state tournament this Tuesday, October 30th. The boys finished the season with a 13-5 record and have received the 5th seed, their first matchup being against 12th seed, Butler. The team hopes to grab an easy win and move on to the next round, taking the tournament game by game and hoping for a ring in the end. The boys have a tough matchup if they win game one which would be against fourth seeded Wallington, or a potential upset matchup against 13th seeded Saddle Brook.

Last year the boys made it to the semifinals of the state tournament and suffered a heartbreaking loss against Pompton Lakes, marking an emphatic end to a very successful season. The team lost 10 seniors last year, 3 who were captains, and 5 who were starters.

Current Senior captain Darden Derguti was asked about how he felt the team was responding after losing so many players, and he said “the team is responding very well, we came together and worked for a common goal and so far it is making us successful”. This change has greatly affected the team’s chemistry, but they have bounced back and created a great team.

The boys are currently placed third in the league, but have won some huge games recently. They beat undefeated Park Ridge, and Dumont, a group 2 school.

Goalkeeper captain Gianpaolo Colannino explained the team’s recent success as a “will to win and amazing effort from everyone.” He has contributed an average of 11 saves a game and adds another brick in the wall of defense that keeps Cresskill on the top end of the table. With all of these aspects together, the boys can really make some noise in the tournament, hoping to get that ring and bring a title back to Cresskill.