Monahan and Panthers Closing in on State Title

Dave Monahan and his  boys soccer teammates waited a long time for a second chance.

On Sunday, the Panthers got their second opportunity to play rival Pingry for the Somerset County title. Losing to Pingry 2-1 in their third game of the season, the Panthers to gain a first outright county title since 2003. Monahan scored the third and decisive goal after teammate Sal Vitello scored the first two.

The Panthers have been on a roll since the first meeting against Pingry, which coincidently was the team's last loss. The team has won 17 straight games after Sunday’s win, and Monahan has been a huge part of the team’s success.

Last week, the Panthers rolled to easy state tournament wins against Ridge [4-0] and Union [5-0]. Monahan added a goal and an assist against Ridge.

With a state title in their sights, the Panthers still have many games to play before being crowned champions. Monahan took time to sit down with Bridgewater Patch to talk about the standout season this year.

Bridgewater Patch: How did you get in to playing soccer?

Dave Monahan: I started playing at about four or five. I had two older sisters who were heavily involved with soccer and my dad played in high school. I started out with recreation soccer, and moved to travel soccer when I was 7 years old.

BP: Do you play any other sports at ?

DM: Yes, I also play hockey and golf.

BP: What is your favorite part about playing soccer?

DM: Just being with the guys on our team. I have been playing with a lot of the same guys since I was 7, and most of them are my best friends. There’s nothing like playing soccer with kids who have basically become your family.

BP: When I spoke to Coach [Rick] Szeles at the beginning of the season, he told me he had high expectations for the team, but it was a “rebuilding” year. What were your expectations at the beginning of the season?

DM: At the beginning of the year, we lost a lot of our starters from last year. Talking to my teammates before the season, we felt that there was not a team in our conference that was better than us. We started to think that we could be better than people are expecting and could even make a run at a championship. I didn’t think we were going to be 18-2 at this point, but I did not think that we would be out of contention by any means.

BP: After a 1-2 start, the team has won 17 straight games [entering Tuesday’s state game against North Hunterdon]. What has the team been doing differently during this stretch?

DM: I don’t think we have done anything differently, I just think that we have started to settle in. I think we had a tough first loss against Montgomery because we had a lot of guys who were playing in their first game. Now everyone’s kind of gained confidence and now we’re just on a roll. We have the confidence that we know we’re not going to be stopped and we have a lot of momentum right now.

BP: How does it feel to beat a Pingry team that is always a tough game and that has held at least a share of the last seven county titles?

DM: It’s unbelievable. We always try to focus on it being just another game, but this is a game that everyone gets pumped up for. We knew we were going to win this game because we wanted it more and we showed it on Sunday. It was nice to pull off the upset and show everyone that we are not a team that can be messed with.

BP: Describe the feeling you had playing in the county final and getting the opportunity to score a goal?

DM: Back in middle school and watching Matt Kassel play in the states, I used to always want to be out there. Now that it’s happening, it’s a great feeling. I’m just happy I had the opportunity to help us win the game.

BP: What is your mindset for the rest of the season?

DM: We’re on a roll right now. Our forward Sal Vitello always says 'we’re on a mission,' and its true. We haven’t even had a close game because we’ve been playing unbelievable. After this streak, I don’t feel there is any way we can be stopped if we keep playing our game and keep playing at this level.

BP: What is your most memorable moment with the Bridgewater soccer program?

DM: Celebrating with my teammates after Sunday’s game against Pingry. Just being with all those guys in the huddle and hoisting that trophy was unbelievable. Just being able to bring a trophy back for the trophy case and knowing that we did it together is the best feeling in the world.

BP: Why is it important to end your senior year with not only the county title, but a state and conference title?

DM: If you look at our team, we have a whole bunch of players that have been playing town soccer and we have all been playing together since we were little kids. We’re playing all these teams with academy players and are all hyped up and we just came out of nowhere. No one thought we were going to have a good season, but it just goes to show that teamwork will beat talent any day.

BP: What are your plans for the future?

DM: I am planning on going to college and my first choice is Notre Dame. I am also looking at Wake Forest. I might play a club sport, but I don’t think I’m going to do anything with soccer, hockey or golf.

BP: What will you miss most about BRHS?

DM: The closeness of everyone that I play with and go to school with. You make new friends in college, but you will never have the same experiences that you had when you were little and going to high school. You get to play and be with the same people for four years and just hanging out being a kid.  You can never get these days back and I just want to cherish the time that I have left with this team and at this school.