Boys’ Soccer Set to Defend State Title

As Head Coach Tony Bednarsky starts his thirty-third year leading our boys’ soccer team, he looks forward to a strong season ahead, despite losing 14 players who recently started college.

“Even with the tremendous graduation losses, the Knights remain cautiously optimistic to be a top team during the 2021 season,” said Coach Bednarsky. “We hope to defend our Non-Public B and Prep B state titles, as well as the Somerset County and Skyland Conference crowns.” Last year, GSB boys’ soccer finished 13-0-1 and were ranked first in New Jersey and fourth in the country.

This season, Coach Bednarsky welcomes 14 returning varsity athletes, from which six starters will be culled: Goalkeeper Mike Dumiec `24 (5 shutouts, 85 saves); Centerback Nick Collins `23 (All-Conference defender); Rightback Joe Howard `23; Center Midfielder David Frankel `22 (All-State and All-Conference; 6 goals, 3 assists); Midfielder Charles Taliano `23; Forward Gavin Scavino `22 (Second Team All-State; All-Conference striker; 5 goals, 3 assists).

Coach Bednarsky will also rely on key returning players, such as Midfielder/Forward Daniel Spataro `24, who is looking for a break-out year as one of the top underclassmen statewide, with six goals and three assists as a freshman; Defender Blake Bertolini ’22, a veteran player and good team leader; Defender Peter Frantz-Pendell `24; Midfielder George Taylor `24: Midfielder Hayden Chan `22; Striker Nick Arapkiles `23; Jack Ferrence `23, backup keeper; and Midfielder Jack Ryan `24.

Key Newcomers include Midfielder Chayse Stolarski `24; Forward Jonathan Ferriera `24; Forward Dan Castro `24; Forward Dan Scali `25; Defender Michael Taliano `25; Defender Nathaniel Shen `25; Defender Dylan Palmieri `25; Forward Alex Chyzowych `25; and Midfielder Danny Vasquez `25. Other major contributors to the team: Hayden Chan `22, Chayse Stolarski `24, George Taylor `24, Dan Castro `24, Michael Taliano ’25, and Nathaniel Shen `25.

Coach Bednarsky is hopeful about his squad’s prospects this season, even though his current team has big cleats to fill. Both NJ.com and the Skyland Conference named the 2020 Knights its Team of the Year. Coach Bednarsky fondly recalls the powerhouse force of last year’s Big Three, Adam Berrocal `21, Jordan Canica `21, and Micaah Garnette `21, who collectively scored 132 goals and had 116 assists. Micaah, named New Jersey’s Player of the Year (21 goals, 14 assists/62 goals, 30 assists career), is a student at St. John’s. All-Stater Jordan Canica `21 (14 goals, 8 assists/57 goals, 44 assists career), started at Villanova, and All-Stater Adam Berrocal `21 (5 goals, 9 assists/13 goals, 44 assists career) studies at Stevens. Additional standouts from last season include Chris Chyzowych `21 an All-Conference defensive midfielder who is a student at New Haven; All-Conference Defender Nick Skiadis `21, and Forward/Midfielder Jaeden Ead `21.

Go, Knights!!