Anthony Bugliari adds to family's legacy as Pingry boys soccer wins SCT title
BRIDGEWATER – No need to tell Anthony Bugliari about the storied history of the Pingry boys soccer team.
Yes, he’s one of those Bugliaris. His grandfather Miller is in his 64th season as the Big Blue’s coach and has 900 career wins.
“I’ve grown up on Pingry soccer,” the senior said. “Obviously, my grandpa being the coach and my brother and my uncle and my dad playing, it means so much. My grandpa’s my role model, someone I look up to. Just to play for him is special, I think. How many people can say that their grandpa coaches them? What I have is special – I definitely don’t take it for granted. So to wear the jersey is special.”
Anthony’s been making his own name for the Bernards Township school and became part of the lore in Saturday’s Somerset County Tournament final. Bugliari laid a perfect cross from the right side, and Harrison Hackett headed it home with 16:36 remaining for a 1-0 win over Bernards at Torpey Athletic Complex.
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Top-seeded Pingry claimed its 23rd SCT and remained undefeated at 15-0. It certainly wasn’t easy against third-seeded Bernards (9-3-2), making its third-straight finals appearance without a title.
Last season, the Mountaineers upset top-seeded Pingry in the semifinals as the No. 4 seed. This time, Pingry prevailed.
“We knew it was going to be a tough fight,” Bugliari said. “We played them two years consecutively in the county tournament. Fell to them last year, so we were really hurt and upset. To be back here, we knew we were expecting a physical team. They’re a great side, they’re competitive. We knew what to expect, and I think we came prepared. We just wanted it so bad, getting let down last year. So, I think this was a culmination of all of our hard work since last year.”
Miller Bugliari, whose many accomplishments include being a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame, noted the team “kept going. We didn’t let up.”
Each side had chances as the goalies were outstanding. Pingry’s Sebastian Martinez made five saves, and Bernards’ Kyle Morris recorded six saves.
The Big Blue defenders of Martin Fields, Paul Salerno and Neil Riener cleared balls, as did Bernards’ back line of Adan Chapparo, Jeremy Gutierrez, Jaykob Marquez and Alan Villagra.
“I think we’re a team that scores a lot,” said Bugliari, who leads Pingry with 13 goals. “We score a lot. To get shut out like that for most of the game is definitely frustrating for all parties. I think to finally get that chance, we were so relieved.”
He noted that the team is very close and “we love each other. It’s a brotherhood. Pingry’s soccer is a brotherhood. That’s a big staple, and I think this year more than ever we’re so tight.”
Anthony’s brotherhood with the program extends to his actual DNA. His father Anthony, brother Will and uncle David also played soccer for the Big Blue.
“It feels great to contribute to a program so much bigger than me,” Anthony said. “So, to etch my mark in history, it means a lot.”
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ boy soccer: Pingry wins SCT title with win over Bernards
