The MFS Boys Soccer team fell short of capturing the NJSIAA Non-Public B Championship title after a 3-0 loss to Gill St. Bernard’s on November 10 at Kean University, ending the Foxes’ historic season.
“Obviously it’s a negative note, but I was out there on the field with [the] guys giving a hundred percent, and you know at the end of the day, that’s all you can ask,” said team captain Evan Schlotterbeck (’21). “I think that the guys that are coming back are gonna be hungry. We’re gonna be hungry for a title.”
St. Gill Bernard’s stellar offense started off fast, scoring two goals within the first twenty minutes of play. Unfortunately, slow starts have plagued the Foxes all season and last night was no different. After going down 2-0, the Foxes found themselves on a downward spiral from which they could not escape.
Even after some offensive flashes from the Foxes in the second half, Gill St. Bernard’s managed to put the game out of reach when MFS team captain Cory Dennis (’20) knocked one of St. Gill Bernard’s players to the ground to prevent a goal, resulting in a red card for Dennis and a scoring penalty kick for Gill St. Bernard’s with under five minutes left to play.
“I had a great four years at MFS and I wanted to end the season with a bang,” said Dennis. “That’s the one way I really wanted to go out, and I didn’t want to [get red carded], but I just ended the season with a bang.”
While Dennis’s red card ended his career at MFS and the Foxes’ hopes for a comeback, Head Coach Mike Schlotterbeck greeted Dennis with a hug as he walked off the field. “He’s a four year varsity player; he’s the heart and soul of our team,” said Schlotterbeck. “He’s just competing at that point and trying to prevent a goal, so I just gave him a big hug.”
With their season ending in a heartbreaking fashion, Coach Schlotterbeck said he is focusing on the upside. “We are young, so I think I am looking forward to the next season, but right now I’m sad for our seniors and sad that our season is over,” said Schlotterbeck.
As Coach Schotterbeck said, there’s reason to believe that the Foxes could be right back in the championship game next year. Coming off their best season in MFS history, 16-5, they will be losing key players such as Dennis and Jackson Fox (’20) on defense, and players in supporting roles such as Jack Bader (’20) and Alex Boller (’20); however, much of the Foxes’ success this season has relied on the younger talent on the team.
The Foxes’ high powered offense will only improve next season as their leading scorer, Matt D’Ottavi (’21) (32 goals), and assist leader, Astin Galanis (’21) (16 assists), will be returning for their senior year. The Foxes will look to Schlotterbeck to man the defensive side of the ball in the absence of Dennis and Fox. Luckily, Schlotterbeck’s level of play has already been outstanding through his first three seasons, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
With the seniors’ departure, underclassmen such as Wesley Simpson (’22) and Sulayman Hussain (’23) should receive more playing time and will be expected to take their game to the next level as they head into their junior and sophomore years.
Despite letting up three goals in the championship, goalkeeper Mikey Paznokas (’21) is coming off a phenomenal season in goal, recording 123 saves throughout the season. Paznokas said he is using this tough loss as motivation to get his team back in the same position to win it all. He looks to have “a lot more preparation going into preseason,” and had a message for the teams that defeated MFS this season: “Everybody that beat us, we’re coming.”
