Pope John loses opener to Montville, 5-2

The Pope John XXIII Regional High School boys soccer lost its season opener to Montville, 5-2, on Sept. 4.

The Lions are scheduled to play at Morristown on Monday, then to host Sparta on Wednesday, Sept. 11 and Dover on Friday, Sept. 13.

Head coach Chris Ardila’s goal is for the team to be “disciplined at all times.” “We will like to see this team compete at all games and achieve a winning record.’’

Among the key returning players are seniors Nick Cetani (midfielder) and Miles Masone (goal keeper), juniors Nicholas Acito (midfielder) and Emanuel Vargas (midfielder), and sophomore Chris Opat (midfielder).

Newcomers include sophomore Daniel Burns (defender) and freshmen Damian Stawowy (midfielder), Christopher Sabella (midfielder), Sebastian Alvarez (midfielder), Santiago Vargas (midfielder) and Steven Leonard (defender).

Pope John has a variety of leaders on the roster this year.

“Miles Masone is a returning two-year varsity player,’’ Ardila said. “He’s vocal, disciplined and dedicated. Nick Cetani is a four-year returning varsity player. Nicholas Acito is a three-year returning varsity player. Emanuel Vargas is a three-year returning varsity player and Chris Opat is a two-year returning varsity player.’’

The Lions posted a 6-10 overall record in 2023, winning only one game in division play.

They lost to Oratory, 4-3, in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey, Non-Public A tournament.

This season, they compete in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference National Division along with Sparta, Montville, Morristown, Morris Knolls, West Morris and Parsippany Hills.

“(2024 is a) tough, rebuilding year. We hope to be in the middle of the pack,’’ Ardila said. “Always a competitive division, anyone can beat anyone at any game. Montville, Morristown and Morris Knolls would be teams to beat.’’