Boys Soccer Preview: Wood-Ridge Hopes Pre-Season Competition Leads to Strong Season

WOOD-RIDGE, NJ – With just four returning starters, Wood-Ridge head boys soccer coach Alberico De Pierro has had a competitive pre-season camp as players battle for playing time.  Friday, when the Blue Devils open against Passaic Charter at the Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex, some of those questions will be answered, at least temporarily.

“We are in active competition for most starting positions,“ said De Pierro.

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One spot that is not up for grabs is goalkeeper, as junior Chase LoPresti returns for his third year in net.  LoPresti, who made All-Meadowlands teams each of his first two seasons, is two wins away from becoming Wood-Ridge’s all-time leader in wins for a goalie.  The saves record is also in his reach for this season, with one more remaining for him to pad those records.

The second of those four starters is senior middle back Steven Turi, who is also closing in on some milestones this year, as he could potentially finish with the school marks for games, starts, and minutes played by season’s end.  He has six goals and eight assists in his three years with the Blue Devils.

Senior Anthony Cala also returns to the starting lineup, and he will see time in the mid-field and upfront.  In 2023, he was fourth in goals, with seven, and in points, with 20.  He will be joined in the starting lineup by back Lucas Mendoza.  A junior, Mendoza chipped in with a goal, while helping the Blue Devils on the defensive side of the ball.

Returning seniors with varsity experience include Tyler Bueno (three goals in three years of varsity experience), Jordan Cano-Alzate (two goals in two years), Jonathan Canseco (two assists in one season), David Castro (a goal, four assists in three seasons), and Matthew Giochechea, (a goal in one season).  Juniors Daniel Myrto (1 goal in two seasons), Samuel Santamaria (2 goals in two years, Matteo Garrido (1 goal, 1 year) and sophomore Jacob Metcalf (2 assists as a freshman) all have varsity experience.

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DePierro is happy with the way the team has approached the pre-season.

“Early practice is progressing better than expected, especially given that this is the first year we are training early morning (6 to 8am primarily),” DePierro stated. “ There has been a high level of work ethic and work rate which is definitely pleasing the coaching staff. ”

“This is an exciting season for us because we are not setting any expectations and just trusting our work ethic and work rate to allow us to have a fighting chance in each game play,“ DePierro continued. “We want to make sure that our efforts on the field, whether win or lose, leave us satisfied at the end of each game knowing we gave it our all.”

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