Vernon soccer team off to strong start

Well that didn’t take long-and were talking about the Vernon High School boys soccer program showing that they very much mean business on the field this fall.

In their first two regular season games, the Vikings outscored the opposition by a combined score of 12-2.

Top returning student athletes to the Vikings’ varsity lineup this year include Ryan Lally (senior, goal keeper), Caleb Gibson (senior, forward), Kyle Dunbar (senior, midfield), Nolan Shade (senior, midfielder), Josh Bamper (senior, midfielder) and Aiden Horn (junior, midfielder).

Among the newcomers to the varsity level for Vernon this fall are Nick Amati (junior, back) and Landon Carter (junior, back).

The those two early season victories, Horn and Gibson tallied four goals apiece.

“Team leaders and captains are Ryan Lally, Caleb Gibson and Kyle Dunbar,’’ Vernon head coach Joseph Jones said. “They show their leadership abilities on and off the pitch. All three have led a fund raising drive for ‘Go4theGoal’ which assists families dealing with pediatric cancer.

“They have also helped to organize a mentoring program for incoming freshmen soccer players, where members of the varsity team will assist them adapt to high school. On the field they encourage the team to work hard, push themselves and be team oriented.’’

The Vikings completed the 2018 season with eight wins and they compete in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Freedom Division.

“We would like to contend for a Division title while also advancing a few rounds in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament and win the first (NJSIAA) State playoff game in over 10 years at Vernon,'' Jones said.

“I think we will be in the mix in our Division this year. It is one of the toughest Divisions in the state in my opinion with us, Newton, Hackettstown, Jefferson, Wallkill Valley and High Point. While every opponent in our Division is capable of beating anyone else, I feel our toughest opponents will be Newton, Jefferson and Hackettstown’’

Vernon is scheduled to host NJAC Freedom Division opponent Wallkill Valley on September 12. On Sept. 17, they have a Freedom Division road challenge scheduled at Jefferson and they visit High Point in a Freedom Division match on Sept. 20.

“On Saturday, September 21 we will be wearing gold laces along with North Warren to bring awareness to pediatric cancer,’’ Jones said. “This will be the culminating event for our fundraising efforts.’’