Fall Athlete Spotlight: Charlie “Chuck” Paparella
It seems like every year the CBA Soccer team is nothing short of excellent. It is a rarity if they aren’t.
After a fantastic season in 2021 that included a first place finish in the Shore Conference tournament, an 18-game win streak that spanned across nearly two months, a 20-2 overall record, 7-0 Shore Conference record, and a handful of memories made, the team is looking to maintain its high level of play in 2022. I sat down with senior captain Charlie “Chuck” Paparella to discuss this year’s roster, the expectations, CBA Soccer, and his experience in nearly four years.
Q: This year’s roster is a little different compared to last year’s. How has it changed in your eyes?
A: “Obviously, we lost a lot of talent from last year’s seniors, but that doesn’t serve as an excuse to perform any less than what we accomplished last year. New leaders who are seniors this year will now fill their shoes and take up a bigger role in the program.”
Q: With a different roster construction, do the expectations change at all?
A: “I think the public has changed their expectations of CBA due to the loss of five starters from last year’s squad. They feel we will not be as good as last year, but I feel we can be just as good, if not better.”
Q: You were named captain in your senior season. How does your approach to the game change compared to your first three years on the team?
A: “With being named captain, I need to continue to do what I have always been doing throughout my high school soccer career, such as giving 100% on the field and having a good attitude at all times. However, now I need to be more of a leader both on and off the field. I also have to be more vocal in order to transfer my thoughts to the rest of the team. One major component this year is trying to lead by example which I did not really do earlier in my high school career due to the presence of the previous seniors.”
Q: Discuss the team’s first game, which ended up being a loss to Marlboro. How did this set the tone for the rest of the season up to this point?
A: “Obviously, starting off the season 0-1 is a bad start. However, it was actually beneficial to help motivate us for the next games. All of our rankings from last year disappeared due to this one loss and called to attention that we are not good just because we wear the letters “CBA” on our jerseys. We have to give 100 percent in training all the time and the results will eventually come. And that they did… CBA has won seven straight games letting in two goals and scoring 26 goals. These were not just simple wins. We beat Delran and Gill St. Bernard’s, who were state champions last year of New Jersey, Chaminade, who were state champions last year in New York, and LaSalle, who is ranked as one of the top teams in Pennsylvania.”
Q: How does CBA Soccer separate themselves apart from other teams in the Shore Conference?
“CBA Soccer is a winning program where everyone in the program gives their all in both games and practice. We also have the brotherhood that other schools do not have. Everyone on the team is a great friend on and off the field, so it helps when building chemistry.”
Paparella represents what it means to be a CBA Soccer player. His skills on the field, leadership off the field, hard work in the classroom, and overall character are a testament to the person he’s become with CBA Soccer. Paparella and the Colts face the Manalapan Braves in their next game on September 29 at 4 p.m.
