Throughout the years, the New Rochelle boys soccer team has subscribed to a simple philosophy; the only way to get better is to play the best competition around.
On Aug. 29, the Huguenots put themselves through a stiff pre-season test against perennial Class A contender Rye in the hopes that it will get them ready for a solid campaign this fall. And with a come-from-behind 3-2 win against the Garnets, it looks as though the Huguenots have that mental toughness that may carry them through a tough schedule this year.
“I wanted to test them right away because we’re young, but experienced,” said New Rochelle coach Jarohan Garcia. “Last year, with COVID taking out half the team for stretches, these guys got a lot of playing time so I wanted to put them out there against a team like Rye.
Max Vandervoort and Henry Field gave the Garnets an early lead on Monday, but the Huguenots rallied back, getting two goals from Frank Onguene—both assisted by Ilyas Souda—and another score from Alejandro Aparicio to manage the comeback.
“I think it’s a great testament to what we’ve been talking about in the preseason; don’t worry about the score and just give 150 percent all the time,” said Garcia. “When you’re in Section I, which is loaded with good teams, comebacks are going to happen and it’s good for us to get that experience.”
Rye coach Jared Small noted that New Rochelle’s size physicality was a difference-maker in the second half of the scrimmage, and Garcia said that it’s simply impossible to compete in Section I without that toughness—both physical and mental—necessary to compete for 50/50 balls.
“You don’t have a choice, we play White Plains, Somers, Mamaroneck, John Jay; these are all perennial powerhouses,” said the head coach. “We can’t let those 50/50 balls become 70/30 balls.”
The Huguenots also have plenty of talent this year, from Daniel Santos in the midfield to Rene Lopez, whom Garcia described as an “absolute disruptor” on the wings.
Defensively, Kenneth Concha will be tasked with solidifying the backfield and leading a young group.
“He sets that tone, he brings that physicality we need,” Garcia said. “And he’s going to work our young defenders and get them ready to play at this level.”
The Huguenots open the season on Wednesday morning against John Jay, and with a host of tough games through the first few weeks of the season, New Rochelle’s head coach believes his team will soon find out what competing at the highest level is all about.
“We just need to be competitive; by the time you get to Sectionals, it’s one missed assignment or one lucky bounce that decides a lot of these games,” said Garcia. “I want them to be used to the atmosphere, I don’t want there to be any surprises because we’ve seen it before.”
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