CBA Soccer 2024: A Look Ahead
With a 1-0 victory over the Marlboro Mustangs, coming from a second-half own goal, the CBA Colts rise to 3-2 in the 2024 season. Considering this matchup was their first Shore Conference matchup of the season, it was an important win for the boys, still reeling from a disappointing 5-0 defeat away at Pingry. By Colts standards, the 2024 season has been by no means smooth sailing, but today’s win could serve to right the ship. With the season in full swing, the Colts will continue to fight for another Shore Conference Championship and possibly another state final appearance.
Christian Brothers Academy opened up the season with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of La Salle College High School (PA), nothing unusual for a young team experimenting and trying to find their footing. With only two returning starters, there were plenty of gaps for Coach Tom Mulligan to fill. Players needed to step up into new roles, and they did just that.
The next two matches put CBA back in business, with a 1-0 win over La Salle Academy (RI) and a convincing 5-2 victory away at Bergen Catholic. A testament to the team’s resilience, three of CBA’s four goal scorers were juniors; with goals by James Brady, Ryan Asadi, and Charlie Messano, all of whom are first-year varsity players ready to make an impact. The Colts have maintained a lineup full of new faces. Starting winger Devon Cale has been a bright spot in the attack, playing alongside the new faces of the defense: William Drechsler, Finn McCarthy, and Charlie Messano. Even freshman Joe Gaustella joins a handful of freshmen in the program’s history to have made the Varsity team.
However, this relative lack of experience showed during their 5-0 loss at Pingry, scoring three in the second half over the demoralized Colts. Regardless, the team did not hang their heads, going out and earning a hard-fought victory over a strong Marlboro lineup. In a team that lost almost all of its starters, Coach Mulligan has found leadership in captains Phil Bodenski, Brayden Perry, and Sean Najdzinowicz. Next up, the Colts have a great test in the form of Rumson Fair Haven, a team they have not faced in a few years. This will be an important match for the Colts to keep the ball rolling for a successful season.
“At the start of the season, it was tough to get to know one another and find chemistry as we, the juniors, had never played with the senior group,” said junior attacker James Brady when asked if there were any problems finding leadership within the somewhat inexperienced team. “I think the more and more we play together, our chemistry will continue to get better and as the season goes on we will be at our best.”
In a unique year, everyone must play their part for the Colts in order to maintain the success they’ve found in years past. Coaches Mulligan and Fitzgerald are proponents of the idea that every man plays his role: individuals working as hard as they can at the role they are given so they can earn the role they want. This philosophy will be vital for the Colts, holding every player responsible and creating an environment of leadership that will breed success. While they may have stumbled at the beginning of the year, anticipate the Colts to find their groove and hit their stride as the season unfolds.
