The Seniors (2004)

They have been playing together for almost a decade and their homes are bursting at the seams with trophies won from almost every conceivable competition. Their uniform numbers are almost consecutive 8,10,11,12 and 13 and if you understand the recent history of Scotch Plains Fanwood soccer it is apparent why number nine was skipped. (See below for explanation)

The five senior starters of Scotch Plains Fanwood High School soccer team, striker Sean McNelis, center midfielder Casey Hoynes-O’Connor, stopper Greg Leischner, midfielder Billy Albizati and sweeper Terrence Charles have all started a minimum of two years, and all have at least three varsity letters

Their efforts plus that of the four other seniors AJ Appezzatto, Chris Annese, Chris Heuther and Stefano Gaetano melded with a strong junior class, sophomore goalkeeper Bryan Meredith and a precocious group of six freshmen to make the Raiders one of the hottest teams in the state, with sixteen straight victories including fourteen shutouts which ended with a 23-4 record and a 4-1 loss to Wall in the Group III finals.

McNelis saved much of his heroics for the biggest games, including the state semi-finals when his goal with sixteen minutes left edged Ramapo 1-0. In the Union County Tournament finals against Union, McNelis took Leischner’s perfect cross to score the only goal of the game with 19 minutes left. The day before in the opening round of the State Group III tournament against North Hunterdon, McNelis had converted a pass from Albizati for the only goal.

“He’s a four year starter and a gamer. He just has a nose for the goal,” said Coach Tom Breznitsky of McNelis.

When Breznitsky won his 500th game on October 20 in Cranford, it was appropriately enough Leischner who scored the winning goal and assisted on the clincher by Heuther in a 2-0 victory.

“ It was cool scoring the winning goal on such a big day, “ said Leischner.
“It meant a lot to us to contribute to his 500th victory.”

“This is a very talented bunch of kids. They all bring a lot of skills to the table and it helps that they’ve played with each other for such a long time,” said Breznitsky.
“Greg can help us in a number of positions. He kicks well with both feet and knows his role. Sean has been a great player for us. We asked him to move around a lot this year and he has been a great asset wherever he has played. Billy has a great understanding of his role as a center midfielder. He has been excellent all year taking corner kicks and direct kicks. Casey has excellent skill and great vision.”

Of Charles, a two time first team all Union County player, Breznitsky said “Terrence is quick as any player as I’ve ever had back there. He has a tremendous understanding of defense and his role.”

The seniors started playing together when they were nine years old on Scotch Plains Fanwood Sabers travel team coached by McNelis’ father, David.
“We learned the basics of the game, learned how to trust each other's game, and had a lot of fun,” recalled McNelis.
“ We played on various club teams over the years and eventually wound up all together again on the Morris United Mayhem club team and then the high school team,” said McNelis.

McNelis is not certain how the others got their numbers. “My Dad always wore number thirteen, so I asked wear it also. The
thing I am most proud of is that I am playing my fourth year of varsity soccer, and he is able to be there to watch me, and cheer on our victories.”

“Last year when myself, Greg and Terrence were three of the defenders we actually realized that our numbers were ten, eleven and twelve,” said Albizati.

“Before a few games when we would try and come together the three of us often said "right here 10 - 11 - 12" So it was something that we picked up on a few games into last season.”

“ When we were younger and all played on the Sabers, Terrance actually had number nine,” said Albizati.
“But once he got into high school he had to change his number because Ryan (Breznitsky, the coach’s son and a two time all state player) had it. My number before high school used to be seven so my number had to get changed once I made the team as well.”

Hoynes-O’Connor always wore number eight and Heuther always wore fourteen. Gaetano’s number on the Sabers was ten, meaning the numbers could actually go from seven to fourteen consecutively.

Albizati, Hoynes-O’Connor and Leischner were the only players to stay together on the Sabers from third through eighth grade although the others played most of those years.

“We all have been playing together a long time. so it is safe to say that we know exactly how one another plays. Once we got into high school and when the soccer started to become more serious and we started to have practice everyday we all started to become even closer not only on the field, but off the field,” said Albizati.

Albizati and Leischner have also had success in tennis, both playing doubles but not playing together. Albizati teamed with Jeremy Sanders to finish third in the county at first doubles.

Albizati notes that the Raiders have won four Watchung Conference championships, three Union County championships and one sectional championship, but there was one championship not won. “The state championship was the one we all wanted the most. but that is a very difficult thing to do,. You not only have to be good, but you have to be extremely lucky as well.” said Albizati.

Hoynes-O’Connor, Charles and Albizati were three of the shooters in two pressure packed penalty kick shootouts the Raiders
competed in against Middletown South and Ramapo in the sectional finals and state semifinals. In the 4-2 win against Middletown South both Hoynes-O’Connor and Charles made their shots. Albizati didn’t have to shoot. Against Ramapo all three connected but the Raiders lost 5-4. They were hoping that their final year ended up with a victory but it was not to be.
“Soccer has been a huge part of my life, my family's life, and it will be a little sad to have it end, ” said McNelis.