2004 Preview

When you have the consistent success that Tom Breznitsky has enjoyed at Scotch Plains Fanwood there are certain trappings that come with the territory. Among them are sky-high expectations that often result from being the benchmark program everybody wants
to beat.

Breznitsky awoke this past Sunday to find the state’s largest newspaper picking his team to win the Group 3 soccer title something that didn’t seem to phase the coach who starts his thirtieth season today when the Raiders host Morris County prep power Delbarton.

“They had to pick somebody to win and they figured we have a lot of quality people back
and we’re usually pretty good ,” said Breznitsky.

What most concerns the coach is the health of senior center midfielder Casey Hoynes-O’Connor, who suffered a sprained deltoid ligament in his left ankle during the first team practice on August 23.. With youthful enthusiasm and quick recuperation Hoynes-O’Connor was more certain than Breznitsky of being healthy for the opener.

“I will definitely play. It’s been feeling better every day” said Hoynes-O’Connor.

“He’s a very important part of our team,” said Breznitsky.

“He’s our field general in midfield and without him we have to do a lot of shuffling around .” Even without Hoynes-O’Connor the Raiders won their most recent preseason tune-up at Princeton 3-0. Hoynes-O’Connor has some huge shoes to fill, those of Breznitsky’s son Ryan, a two time all state and two time Union County player of the year who is now playing at Rutgers.

Hoynes-O’Connor heads up a strong midfield in the Raiders 3-5-2 alignment. He is joined by returning starters Greg Leischner, like Hoynes-O’Connor a third team all Union County selection a year ago, and returning starter Billy Albizati. . The offensive midfielders are seniors Sean McNelis,another third team all-county player and AJ Appezzatto, who is on the varsity for the third year.

The defense is solid up the middle with two first team all-county players, senior tri-captain Terrence Charles has started four years, the last two as center sweeperback. The outside defensive positions are manned by juniors Joe Jacobi and returning starter Jeff Bell who also take most throw ins. The Raiders lost an incredible throw in weapon when three-year starter Ed Zazzali graduated. Zazzali was also a second team all Union County player who had a knack for scoring big goals and now plays for Rowan University.

The other all-county selection is Union County freshman of the year, Bryan Meredith, who burst upon the scene with 15 shutouts and was even more impressive in the biggest games of the year. He may be most remembered for stopping a penalty shot by Middletown South’s Tom Gray that led the Raiders to a heart stopping 2-1 victory that gave Breznitsky his eleventh sectional title.

Offensively the Raiders will start two new players after losing talented Josh Kay to graduation. Sean Young who at 6-3 can win many high balls in the penalty box and has been one of the most improved players. Freshman Jarek Cohen has impressed Breznitsky with speed and savvy and is one of three outstanding freshman that will get significant playing time.

Another newcomer is Brian Hessemer, whose older brother Mike was a three year starter
and an all county and all state player last year and now plays for Lehigh University. Hessemer, Meredith and another talented freshman Robert Cunningham are all teammates on the Players Development Academy(PDA) Socrates team that has won four consecutive state titles.

Hessemer has filled in at midfield while Hoynes-O’Connor has been out and Cunningham will see time at defensive midfield. Two other players that add depth and experience are junior Anthony Baliatio and Matt Fleisser, whose older brother Rick played goalie before Meredith.

While the starting lineup is talented and experienced, Breznitsky worries about depth.
“We have enough when everybody’s healthy but we can’t afford too many injuries.”

As usual, Breznitsky has loaded the schedule with outstanding non-conference opponents. While finally dropping national prep power St. Benedicts, Breznitsky has replaced them with Delbarton, which ended their 169 game state unbeaten streak last year and wound up second in the state last year. Delbarton returns an impressive cast led
Will Lee, a first team all state selection a year ago and a teammate on Hoynes-O’Connor’s club team.

“Will Lee is as good as advertised ,” said Hoynes O’Connor.

In addition the Raiders travel to Bridgewater Raritan(BR),eighth in the state last year and a group IV finalist and West Orange eleventh and a group IV section champion. BR is sure to want to avenge its first loss last year, 1-0 to the Raiders. Another revenge minded team will be conference rival Kearny that also lost its first at home to the also undefeated Raiders in a 1-0 classic.

There are also home and home encounters with conference rivals Cranford,Westfield and Linden, the latter who avenged two regular season defeats by upsetting the Raiders 1-0 in the county finals.

If SPF can traverse these stormy waters well enough to win 12 games, Breznitsky will join a select group of coaches who have won 500 games. He enters the season with a 488-108-38 mark, an .819 winning percentage.