Trojans Are a Power on the Pitch

The first two weeks of the season have been fruitful for the North Pocono boys varsity soccer squad.

After bowing out following the semifinals at the Labor Day weekend Kotula Kickoff, the Trojans rolled through three straight Lackawanna league wins before taking a 4-1 hit from Valley View late last week.

Part of the reason for the Trojans' success can be attributed to the team dynamic that seems to be developing quicker than expected.

North Pocono commenced regular operations at home on September 6. That evening, on the stadium turf, they handed visiting Delaware Valley a 4-0 shutout and two days later, at home again, posted a 2-1 win against Scranton.

At Wallenpaupack on September 13, the Trojans repeated that 2-1 performance by making good on two scoring opportunities in a hotly contested match against an aggressive Buckhorn team.

Quirico stars

“DV is a skillful team but we did a good job dominating them,” said Christian Quirico.

The Trojan senior not only leads the team, but all of Division 1 with six goals and an assist for a total of 13 points. He scored both NP goals in the match at Wallenpaupack.

“Paupack definitely had control of a lot of the game but we were able to capitalize on our chances, he said.”

Quirico was also responsible for both goals against Scranton.

After a slow start and a nil-nil tie at halftime, the Trojans went a man down after a second yellow card was issued to Tyler Reilly.

Even short a player, North Pocono managed to control the field and finally Quirico found the side of the net to take the 1-0 lead.

With minutes left, Scranton tied it up and forced the overtime.

A second OT period almost happened when Quirico again struck to give the Trojans the 2-1 win.

Supporting cast

While Quirico also hit the lone North Pocono goal versus Valley View, he was one of four other Trojans that shook the net against Delaware Valley.

Against the Warriors, junior Joe Furconi made his first varsity goal to get that game going.

Senior defenseman Chris Wendt nailed a penalty kick; Quirico claimed the third goal of the contest and freshman Tracy Kenyon put away the fourth.

“Chris Wendt is one of the top PK takers in the league,” said Trojans head coach Graig Arcurie.

“He’s a defensive leader and has been winning almost every one-on-one situation he encounters.”

Counting the pair of matches at the Kotula, senior keeper Chase Notari has posted one shutout, made 69 saves and only allowed 11 goals in six ventures.

The first-year varsity starter has been doing well and remains excited about the rest of the season.

“Varsity definitely is a much quicker game,” Notari noted. “I got used to it pretty fast and felt ready because it’s the same pace as a lot of the travel teams I play with.”

Up ahead

Following matches with West Scranton and Abington Heights, the Trojans square off versus Honesdale at home on Saturday, September 24.

They then travel to Delaware Valley next Tuesday. They wrap up the month on the road at Scranton two days later.

Youth Soccer League Appreciation night will be Saturday October 1 with intra-squad games taking place at the stadium beginning at 5 p.m.