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Is parity really the defining force in the Morris/Sussex boys soccer rankings?

Jane Havsy, Morristown Daily Record
·4 min read

With two weeks until the Morris County Tournament and Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex seeding meetings, this is the time for boys soccer teams to make a statement. Are you ready for division play?

There has been parity in the NJAC-National, while the American and Freedom seem to have a clear separation between the top and bottom. But some squads have played just two games, so the picture still seems hazy.

The Morris/Sussex boys soccer rankings have already changed radically since preseason. Check back every week for our latest update.

10. Lenape Valley (4-0)

Last week: Unranked

Seniors Aidan Waters (8g, 3a) and Nico Madrid (3g, 5a) and junior Lucas Granada (5g, 4a) are lighting up the scoreboard for Lenape Valley, which has registered 21 goals and allowed just one, in a 2-1 victory against Wallkill Valley on Monday. A pair of sophomore goalies, Jacob Segura and Oliver Boguski, anchor the back.

Up next: Friday vs. Morris Catholic, Tuesday at Morris Tech

9. Sparta (3-3)

Last week: Unranked

After three straight losses to open the season, Sparta is surging with three wins in a row against Pope John, Newton and Morris Knolls. Eight players have at least one goal, led by three apiece by juniors Tobias Gomez and Kyle Enderle and sophomore Matt Torres.

Up next: Thursday vs. West Morris, Saturday vs. Irvington at Hinchliffe Stadium

Hackettstown's Yasseen Zoklat battles Bernards' Adan Chaparro in the North 2 Group 2 sectional final at the Bernards High School field in Bernardsville on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
Hackettstown's Yasseen Zoklat battles Bernards' Adan Chaparro in the North 2 Group 2 sectional final at the Bernards High School field in Bernardsville on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.

8. Hackettstown (5-0)

Last week: Unranked

Junior midfielder Yaseeen Zoklat has eight goals and two assists for undefeated Hackettstown, which already has four NJAC-Colonial victories. Keep an eye on Friday's crossover against Parsippany Hills, a rare chance for the Tigers to face a non-HWS squad before the postseason.

Up next: Friday vs. Parsippany Hills, Tuesday at Jefferson

7. Kinnelon (4-0)

Last week: Unranked

Junior midfielder Jaival Kang has six of the Colts' 14 goals. Kinnelon plays Morristown Beard twice in the next seven days.

Up next: Thursday vs. Morristown Beard, Saturday at Boonton, Tuesday at Morris Catholic

6. West Morris (1-1-1)

Last week: Unranked

After having its entire first week canceled by Mother Nature, the Wolfpack opened with a scoreless, NJAC-National draw with Mount Olive, then beat Morris Catholic and lost to Mendham, 2-1 in overtime – all in six days. The Wolfpack have scored just two goals in the three matches

Up next: Thursday at Sparta, Saturday vs. Pope John, Tuesday at Parsippany Hills

5. Hanover Park (4-1)

Last week: No. 3

The Hornets aren't just basking in the afterglow of their 2022 success, with four straight wins to open the season. Senior Valentino Della Grazia has nine of Hanover Park's 13 goals. But is Monday's 2-1 NJAC-Liberty loss to Parsippany Hills – the first goals Hanover Park has allowed this fall – just a blip, or a sign of more trouble on the horizon?

Up next: Saturday at Summit

4. Mount Olive (4-0-1)

Last week: Unranked

Senior goalkeeper Kristian Dobbek and the Marauders' defense has allowed just one goal thus far, playing West Morris to a scoreless draw on Sept. 13. They'll embark on a challenging NJAC-National schedule over the next two weeks.

Up next: Saturday at Morristown, Wednesday vs. Morris Knolls

Tyrese Brown, #22 of Morris Hills watches for his goal as Sparta goalie Chris Munoz fails to save in the second half during the NJAC-National Boys Soccer in Rockaway, Tuesday on 09/13/22.
Tyrese Brown, #22 of Morris Hills watches for his goal as Sparta goalie Chris Munoz fails to save in the second half during the NJAC-National Boys Soccer in Rockaway, Tuesday on 09/13/22.

3. Morris Hills (4-0)

Last week: No. 5

The good news: Undefeated Morris Hills has allowed only two goals thus far. The bad: The Scarlet Knights have managed two goals per game. But there's more good news: senior Tyrese Brown and freshman Leonardo Belloni have three goals apiece, and senior Anthony Garcia has a goal and three assists, which shows solid balance.

Up next: Thursday at Montville, Saturday vs. Mendham, Tuesday at Delbarton, Wednesday vs. Pequannock

2. Mendham (4-0)

Last week: No. 6

The Minutemen, who reached the NJSIAA Group 3 final last fall, picked up where they left off. Seniors Griffin Coutts and Max Bziukiewicz have three goals apiece. But big tests loom against NJAC-American foes Delbarton and Morris Hills this week.

Up next: Thursday vs. Delbarton, Saturday at Morris Hills, Wednesday at Chatham

Delbarton co-captain Aidan Donovan takes a shot in a 3-3 double-overtime draw with Seton Hall Prep on Sept. 8, 2023 at Red Bull Arena.
Delbarton co-captain Aidan Donovan takes a shot in a 3-3 double-overtime draw with Seton Hall Prep on Sept. 8, 2023 at Red Bull Arena.

1. Delbarton (3-1-1)

Last week: No. 1

Yes, the Green Wave already has a loss. But when it's against national No. 1 St. Benedict's Prep, does that really count? Maybe next season, after the Newark powerhouse joins the NJSIAA. But for now, Delbarton still seems to be rolling right along.

Up next: Thursday at Mendham, Saturday vs. Roxbury, Tuesday vs. Morris Hills, Wednesday vs. Montville

To be settled in November? Delbarton, Seton Hall Prep soccer clash at Red Bull Arena

Also considered: High Point (3-1), Morris Knolls (3-2), Morristown (1-1-1), Parsippany (2-1-1), Pequannock (2-1-1)

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ boys soccer: Morris/Sussex rankings