Fall sports highlights

Congratulations to all our fall athletes and teams! 

Boys V Soccer

The boys varsity soccer team proved that hard work in the off-season pays off, providing many memorable performances on our beautiful new turf field. When healthy and at full strength, this group played an attractive and effective brand of soccer as evidenced by the 5-game win streak in the middle of the season when they outscored opponents 22-6. Co-captains Manny Lazor (13 goals/12 assists) and Lukas Faasse (center defender) led the team to a 9-9 record while reaching the semi-finals of the state tournament. Freshman goalkeeper Joe Virga finished the season with 132 saves and came up big in our first-ever community nights under our lights, including the memorable 3-0 Homecoming win vs Manchester Regional and the wild 5-4 victory over Rutgers Prep in the state tournament. Though nine seniors are graduating, a solid group of underclassmen who received plenty of playing time return for the Eagles next season.

Boys JV Soccer

The boys JV soccer team wrapped up an exciting and promising season in 2023, finishing with a record of 7-6.  Under the guidance of dedicated coaches and the strong leadership of captains Andy Genuario and Lennox Cederholm, the team demonstrated growth, teamwork and a passion for the game. The camaraderie and sportsmanship displayed by the players was truly commendable. With every match, they showcased their commitment to improvement and unity, building on their strengths and addressing their weaknesses. As the season comes to a close, it’s clear that the future is bright for the EC boys soccer program. 

Girls V Soccer

The girls soccer program took a major step forward this year, raising the level of expectation for future seasons with an 11-8 record, finishing third in the league while also advancing to the county and the state sectional semi-finals. Captains Gianna Angelucci and Mackenzie Wynbeek provided exceptional leadership both on and off the field through the highs and lows of the four-month season. Junior Kirsten Braunius led the team with 28 goals and Caroline Pringle continued to make her mark as one of the best to play for the Eagles. Hannah Leegwater held down the defense with a league-leading 151 saves. In a season of multiple highlights, the most memorable game came under the lights on Senior Night when the girls beat rival Pompton Lakes for the second time with Caroline’s golden-goal in overtime.

Girls Tennis

The girls tennis team continued to build on the success of the last several years by improving their standing in the Colonial Division. The team’s 10-2 record in the league exceeded the winning percentage of any EC tennis team in recent decades. Led by a dedicated core of three outstanding seniors, the entire team elevated their level of play at key moments to secure a second place finish in the league, and a respectable showing at the county tournament. Highlights of the season included winning two suspenseful team matches against Pompton Lakes, and an upset of number 1 seed PCTI, by Destiny Miller and Kendra Heerema at second doubles. The team received compliments from several opposing coaches for striking a balance of fun, kindness, and competitiveness. The highest postseason honors went to senior first singles player, Kathy Kim, who earned first team all-league, and second team all-county. Jamie Kim, Taline Madalian, and Kayleigh Marshall all earned second team honors in the league. Sarena Lee was also recognized as an honorable mention.

Girls V Volleyball

With experience and improved skill working for them, the varsity volleyball team was able to flip the script from last year with a 17-7 record, finishing second in league standings and winning a home game in the state tournament. Lillian Vogel led the team with 165 kills and 54 blocks, maintaining a spot on the state leaderboard for blocks and aces all season. Grace Ivanov led the team with 192 assists while contributing 106 kills. The defense, led by digs from Mariah Ramdath (181) Jayla Lee (179) and Charlotte Van Goor (153) held their own against big schools including Fair Lawn and Rutgers Prep. Senior Captains Charlotte Van Goor, Jayla Lee and classmate Sharyn-Nicole Thomas helped build this team physically, mentally, and spiritually, creating a culture that will make this team stronger for years to come. 

Girls JV Volleyball

With seven returning players, the girls JV volleyball team returned in a very strong fashion, battling in every game. The team finished with a .500 record, with notable wins over Elmwood Park and Paterson Charter. This year focused on understanding the system and rotations the varsity team uses to have a more seamless transition between the two levels. The team was able to grow in their knowledge of the game and take steps towards supporting varsity in future years. Rachel Anokye and Skylar Kuiken were both instrumental in the team’s growth and leadership on and off the court.

HS Cross Country

The men’s cross country team finished the year with five wins, finishing first in the EC Invitational and seventh at the state meet. Alex Culp and Caleb Kuperus led the pack for the boys with strong performances at the league and state meets, registering times that put them among the top 25 on the EC XC history list of performances. Coach Apol gives thanks for the dedication and leadership of seniors Stone Davis, Tim LaBianca and Dan Connolly and looks forward to the progress of the returning underclassmen. Kendra Heerema and Avery Peters ran very well for the girls with times that placed them both in the top 35 on the EC XC history list and look forward to being joined on the team by some up-and-coming talent in the lower grades next year. 

Girls MS Soccer

Girls MS soccer finished a strong season with a record of 6-3. Highlights included avenging an earlier loss to Midland Park with a 3-1 win in the rematch, and two strong performances on the new high school turf field including the convincing victory vs HCA in the season finale.  Throughout the season, Zara Ronnau anchored our defense while Sophia Eftychiou fought hard on offense as the top scorer this year. Growth was evidenced not only in playing ability but most importantly in understanding what it means to be a Christian athlete. With 9 returning 7th graders next year, the team is looking forward to another season of competitive play!

Boys MS Soccer

With nine eighth graders leading the way the boys proved they were up to the challenge offered by a very competitive schedule. Most team members learned and played more than one position in the course of the season, creating a versatile lineup for Coach Veenstra. 

Highlights included a well-played 3-1 win vs Hawthorne, an excellent performance vs a strong Midland Park team in the hard-fought rematch, the demonstration of skill and teamwork vs Bergen Charter under the lights on the new high school field, and the compelling 4-1 win over HCA in the season finale.

Girls MS Volleyball

In its first season as a fall sport, the middle school volleyball program gave female athletes a third option for participation. Compared to previous seasons held in early spring, the longer schedule and increased time for preparation allowed the team to adapt to the new league and compete well, even bringing home several wins. Six eighth graders, two seventh graders, and five sixth graders demonstrated amazing individual and team growth, providing some exciting points and matches throughout the season. We look forward to seeing the eighth graders play for our high school next year and to the continued growth of our new fall program at the middle school.

MS Cross Country 

One of the great satisfactions of cross country is its emphasis on individual improvement and the camaraderie found in running as a team. This year’s group came together to accomplish both while putting into practice the biblical ideal of “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). Twenty team members from sixth through eighth grade participated in our meets highlighted by the final championship meet where our boys finished eighth out of 13 strong teams. Our top 5 runners to score at that final meet were eighth graders Ben S-Bennett (15th out of 100 runners), Josiah Hytrek, Matthew Blaize, and Christian Macy, joined by standout sixth grader Luke Hunter. Coach Allen was encouraged by the overall improvement, courage, and gumption brought to life in the efforts of the team this year.

County and league awards

Tennis

• County
• 2nd: Kathy Kim
• HM: Jamie Kim, Sarena Lee
•  
• League 
• 1st: Kathy Kim
• 2nd: Taline Madalian, Kayleigh Marshall, Jamie Kim
• HM: Sarena Lee
• COY: Adam Culp

Girls Soccer

• County
• 2nd: Caroline Pringle, Kirsten Braunius
• HM: Mackenzie Wynbeek, Hannah Leegwater
•  
• League 
• 1st: Caroline Pringle, Kirsten Braunius, Mackenzie Wynbeek
• HM: Gianna Angelucci

Volleyball 

• County
• 1st: Lillian Vogel
• 2nd: Grace Ivanov
• HM: Charlotte Van Goor, Jayla Lee
•  
• League 
• 1st: Lillian Vogel, Grace Ivanov
• 2nd: Charlotte Van Goor
• HM: Jayla Lee
• COY: Coach D’Agustine-DeLaura

Boys Soccer 

• County
• 2nd: Manny Lazor
• HM: Jason Alicia, Lukas Faasse
•  
• League 
• 1st: Manny Lazor
• 2nd: Jason Alicea
• HM: Joseph Virga
•  

Cross Country

• County
• 2nd: Alex Culp
• HM: Caleb Kuperus, Kendra Heerema, Avery Peters
•  
• League 
• 2nd: Alex Culp
• HM: Caleb Kuperus, Avery Peters