The Delbarton Dynasty

In the past four years, the Delbarton Varsity Soccer Team has done what no other Delbarton Soccer team has ever done—win more than two state championships consecutively. And the team did not only win three, they have won four in the past four years. Brian Finn ’16, starting center back on the team for the past three years and 2015 team captain, explains, “It’s an amazing feeling. To go out on top as number one in New Jersey and to be a part of a program that [has] won four straight state championships in my four years of high school is a special feeling.”

Matt Christou ’17, starting outside back for the past two years, continues, “Being a part of what people will call the Delbarton dynasty is extremely special. The legacy created by Coach Donovan and his recent teams is one that is highly respected.”

In the past four years, the team has amassed an impressive record of 88-5-2, with a total of 67 shutouts. With three Morris County championships, three conference championships, three Delbarton Invitational championships, four Non-Public A State titles, and three Star-Ledger year-end number-one New Jersey rankings, the term “dynasty” is definitely fitting to describe this team.

Each year had its particular challenges, as the Green Wave faced top Northeastern competition, such as Seton Hall Prep, Chaminade, Pingry, and Don Bosco Prep. Yet year after year, the Green Wave’s teamwork and brotherhood prevailed. The soccer team, when cut down, only grew back stronger. “In any season there is bound to be adversity. Whether it be injuries or even dropping a few games, we knew we would faces issues at some point,” states Finn, “unfortunately we did lose our only game of the [2015] season to Morristown, but we used this as motivation to win the rest of our games.”

Both a stellar defense and a striking offense allowed Delbarton’s Varsity Soccer team so much success. Finn describes, “Each year the team has had a different dynamic. Whether it be an all-out defensive focus or a dazzling attack, we have found a way to win each year.” In the past four years, Delbarton’s offense has featured stars such as Matt Clausen, Greg Seifert, Mike Moshier, Jared Stroud, Tyler Bell, Andrew Ford, Bobby Fabricant, and Steven Hadley. Similarly, Conor Kelly, Tommy Griffin, Kevin Molnar, Kian Zapata, Brian Finn, Jack Kielty, Rory Madigan, Charles Cadena, and Matt Christou highlight the defense.

Exceptional skill, however, served as only part of the reason for the team’s success. Team camaraderie and chemistry proved indispensable. Christou reflects, “What made our team so special this year would be how close-knit we were. Our whole team had great unity, supporting each other on and off the field.”   Finn continues, “Our team chemistry this year was also one of the biggest factors of our success. Every game we didn’t fight for ourselves, but we fought for each other.”

The team has left the school with some of the indelible soccer memories of the decade. In 2012, Greg Seifert’s beautiful game-winning goal against Chaminade in the Delbarton Invitational and Matt Clausen’s late goal against Pingry to propel Delbarton to state champs highlighted the season. In 2013, Jared Stroud’s free kick versus Seton Hall to win the North final, Brian Finn’s clearance off the line to prevent Pingry from scoring in the state final, and Andrew Ford’s spectacular header to defeat Pingry will be remembered forever. Tyler Bell’s clutch goals in the semi-finals for the Counties and States against Morristown and Don Bosco and the team’s performance in the state final against Notre Dame (whether it be Matt Christou’s shutting down of All-American Brain Hawkins or Charles Cadena’s wonderful pass to Steven Hadley to score the game-winning goal) are memories for the 2014 season. In 2015, defeating Seton Hall for a fifth time in a row, Jack Kielty’s volley in overtime to beat undefeated Mount Olive, and Bobby Fabricant’s clutch goals in the playoff run will be remembered.

The 2012 team finished with a record of 23-1. They won the conference, Delbarton Invitational, and the Non-Public A State final and finished the season ranked number one by the Star Ledger.

The 2013 team finished the season with a record of 22-1-1, with 22 shutouts, 18 of which were consecutive. They set national and state records for most minutes without conceding a goal (1,465). The team won the conference, County Tournament, and the Non-Public A State final and finished the season ranked number one by the Star Ledger.

The 2014 team ended with a record of 20-2-1. They won the Delbarton Invitational, County Tournament and the Non-Public A State final. Continuing from last season, the Green Wave set the state record for most minutes without conceding a goal (1559).

The 2015 team earned the “Quadruple Crown,” winning the conference, Delbarton Invitational, County Tournament, and the Non-Public A State final and finished the season ranked number one by the Star Ledger. They had a record of 23-1.

While the team will miss the leadership of its talented group of departing seniors, including Bobby Fabricant, Brian Finn, Ryan Kidd, Jack Kielty, Rory Madigan, Liam McNamara, and Matt Smith, the team definitely has a chance to succeed again next year. Returning starters include Charles Cadena, Matt Christou, Steven Hadley, Iago Robertson-Lavalle, Kian Alberto, Mark Forbes, John Gerard, and Will Stroud. And the deep bench features numerous returning players, many of whom played important roles this past year, including Connor Dolan, Sam Fuchs, Craig Lenczycki, Garrett Lynch, Matt Campbell, Harrison Cooley, Ryan Stefanick, and Cristian Zamora.

“No team has ever won five straight championships, so it’ll be huge next year to see if the boys can continue the tradition” says Finn. The team is very confident. Christou expresses the team’s optimism, “Yes, I do believe we can do it again next year. Our new team, like the past Delbarton teams, will have a great coaching staff, and with hard work and unity, we can for sure do it again.” Next year’s team will once again rely heavily upon the imaginative coaching of Coaches Donovan, Del Guercio, and Hartle. Whatever happens, the Delbarton Dynasty will be remembered forever.