Green Wave Rolls to Soccer Title

The 2020 Delbarton varsity soccer team completed its postseason and won the Northwest Non-Public State Sectional Title. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions, the team was only permitted to play private high schools in Northwest New Jersey for this postseason. 

In the semifinals, Delbarton stormed past Pope John in a 5-0 victory that was highlighted by a Curt Calov hat-trick and goals from Aidan Grant and Ryan Donovan. But one member of the team was just happy to be able to have a 2020 season. Sophomore Nate Zimmerman stated that “we all appreciated how lucky we were to have a season. Lots of people are going through tougher times, where they’re stuck inside, so I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to play.”

After that resounding win, the team faced Morris Catholic in the finals. Delbarton scored early and often, and by the end of the first half, the Green Wave led 5-0. The Delbarton team never stopped playing hard, as they scored two more goals in the second half. After two late goals from Morris Catholic, the game ended in a final score of 7-2.  With goals from Curt Calov, Aidan Grant, Nate Zimmerman, Michael Pisciotto, and Josh Hepplewhite, Delbarton was in total control of the game. Coach Donovan reflected on the team’s successes by stating, “with the COVID pandemic, it was definitely a strange and challenging year for everyone…the varsity soccer team should be proud of winning the two championships available to them this season. Namely, the Conference and State Sectional Titles with a 12-1-1 record.”

Coach Donovan also noted that “[the team] should be most proud of responding to the adversity facing them with focus, discipline, positivity, and brotherhood. They made Delbarton proud.” Co-Captain Max Cresti also echoed Coach Donovan’s sentiments, claiming that “[the team’s] mentality was to go into each game, play with our hearts, and represent what Delbarton soccer is all about.” Delbarton soccer concluded another successful season, as they finished number 10 in the state in the final NJ.com poll, which ranks the 20 best high school soccer teams in the state.