For the first time in nine years, the Colonial Valley Conference boys soccer once again has a state champion.
Robbinsville High surprised some by winning its first NJSIAA Group III state title this season, tying West Morris Mendham, 1-1, through 100 minutes and then edging out a 4-2 penalty shootout for the first tournament crown year at Franklin High.
But that was just one of the big stories of 2022 as Notre Dame High went through an undefeated CVC schedule, winning the Colonial Division en route to its third straight appearance in the Mercer County Tournament final.
R’ville rolled past a strong Hopewell Valley team to win its first Valley Division pennant, then third-place Allentown made a late-season comeback to join the Ravens in the Central Jersey Group III final.
Ten of the league’s teams have seven or more wins, with seven of those teams hitting .500 or better, including five with double-digit wins.
As always, CVC advertised many high-quality players, many of whom earned conference honors. Here’s a look at TrentonAll-CVC First Team Selections:
RONIT RIHVANI, ROBBINSVILLE
The senior goaltender came up with key saves when his team needed them most, including two in a shootout in the state final. He had seven shutouts this year.
LIAM GARDINER, STEINERT
As only a junior, the young defenseman has proven to be one of the county’s promising defensemen, helping the Spartans to a 12-5-2 record, allowing just 25 goals this season.
LEO GEORGE, PRINCETON
The senior hustled around the Tigers’ back line as head coach Wayne Sutcliffe’s young club tried to produce new goalscorers. George helped Princeton limit opponents to 23 goals.
SEAN SMITH, ROBBINSVILLE
This senior was one of the most dominant defenders you will see, including possessing a tremendous leaping ability. Not only did Smith help R’ville limit opponents to 23 goals, he also had eight goals and six assists in leading the Ravens to their first state title. His efforts earned Smith TrentonAll-CVC Player of the Year Award.
LUIGI BARRICHELI, NOTRE DAME
This sophomore was a rookie in the Irish backfield, but few knew it. His fearlessness on defense allowed ND to move former defenders into the attack.
CHRIS TURNBULL, HOPEWELL VALLEY
As a junior, the defenseman had the vision to keep head coach Ed Gola’s club moving forward after struggling with pucks. He was one of five Bulldogs with a team-high seven assists.
RYAN WATSON, NOTRE DAME
Despite the injury and a change in position (from fullback to midfielder), the third-year player continued to make life difficult for opponents, scoring six goals and providing four assists.
AIDAN GRUND, WW-P South
The junior midfielder, who plays internationally, has four goals and three assists this fall. His presence on the field helped Matt Coburn’s club finish above .500 at 9-8.
AUSTIN WARREN, HOPEWELL VALLEY
With the size and strength to play anywhere on the field, the senior moved into the midfield and led the Bulldogs to a 15-6-1 finish with 13 goals and seven assists, both team highs.
PABLO ARGUETA, NOTRE DAME
It was another senior who moved from the backfield to the midfield this season. For the second year in a row, he posted double-digit assists with 13 and seven goals.
ADRIAN IVANOV, ROBBINSVILLE
Injured last year, Adrian Ivanov made his varsity debut in 2022. His 10 goals and six assists tied for second on the team; crucial in September when Boro Turker was injured.
ANTHONY DURLING, STEINERT
The way this junior midfielder scores, it’s hard to tell he’s not a forward. His team-leading 17 goals tied him for third in the CVC. Durling also had three assists.
J. P. COLTER, NOTRE DAME
This senior was one of the best setup men in the league. He scored 10 goals and had 13 assists, tying him with teammate Pablo Argueta for the CVC lead.
BORA TURKER, ROBBINSVILLE
Despite starting his second straight season on the injured list, the junior returned to score a team-high 13 goals in 13 games to lead the Ravens to their first state crown.
CADE MAGLIONE, ALLENTOWN
The junior’s stock continues to rise with the Redbirds. Maglione’s 17 goals and seven assists helped A’town win five more games in 2022 and reach the section finals.
Allentown’s Cade Maglione (28) controls the ball against Hopewell Valley during a Central Group III boys soccer quarterfinal match Monday at Akerson Field in Hopewell Twp. (Kyle Franko/Trentonian Photo)
ALLEN JARRIN, HIGHTSTOWN
This year, this high school senior has made a drastic difference as a freshman on the varsity. Jarin’s 20 goals and nine assists led the 7-10-1 Rams and helped him become the CVC’s leading scorer.
JAMES FERRARO, NOTRE DAME
CVC’s leading scorer kept himself in contention for player of the year as a senior forward with 21 goals, 10 assists and 52 points, tied for the Mercer lead and tied for second in the area.
JEFF FISHER, ROBBINSVILLE
His ninth year as head coach of the Ravens proved to be his best with a school-record 18-4-1 campaign that ended with R’ville’s first Valley Division boys soccer championship, sectional title and state crown despite injuries throughout. He and his staff reminded everyone how well Mercer County football teams can still play, earning Jeff Fisher TrentonAll-CVC and All-Area Coach of the Year honors.
All-CVC Boys Soccer
FIRST TEAM
Position Player School year
Goalie Ronit Rijwani Robbinsville, Sr
Back Liam Gardiner Steinert Jr
Back Leo George Princeton Sr
Back Shawn Smith Robbinsville, Sr
Back Luigi Barricelli Notre Dame So.
Back Chris Turnbull Hopewell Valley Jr.
Midfielder Ryan Watson Notre Dame jr
Midfielder Aidan Grund WW-P South Jr.
Midfielder Austin Warren Hopewell Valley Sr
Midfielder Pablo Argueta Notre Dame Sr
Midfielder Adrian Ivanov Robbinsville Jr.
Midfielder Anthony Durling Steinert Jr
Forward J. P Colter Notre Dame Sr
Boro forward Turker Robbinsville jr
Forward Cade Maglione Allentown, jr
Forward Allen Jarin Hightstown, Sr
Forward James Ferraro Notre Dame Sr
THE SECOND TEAM
Position Player School year
Goalie Arya Patel Allentown Sr
Goalie Alex Szymanik Hopewell Valley jr.
Back Carlton Cummings WW-P South Sr.
Back Aldo Branham Hopewell Valley Sr.
Back Nolan O’Grady Robbinsville, Sr
Back Maddox Hyone Lawrence Sr
Back Nicholas Mathese Princeton Jr
Midfielder Nelson Guerra Steinert Sr
Midfielder Emmanuel Nayola Princeton, Sr
Hightstown senior midfielder Eric Karchipulo
Midfielder Felipe Matar Grundy Princeton Jr
Midfielder Julian Ramirez Allentown Jr.
Midfielder Tom Hooks Hopewell Valley Sr
Forward Christian Fiuchinsky WW-P South Sr.
Forward Ethan Johnson Hamilton West Jr
Forward Alex Ludeke Hopewell Valley Sr
Forward Will Lynch Notre Dame So.
Forward David Ramos Hopewell Valley Jr.
Forward Chase Bolden Ewing, Sr
Honorary award
Jace Pagano, Danny Doran, Thomas Laurinaitis, Giovanni Pierleonardi, Sean Salas (Allentown); Robbie Yates, Anthony Genovesi, Nick Genovesi, Michael Kramer (Ewing); Santino Panfili, Nick Hamilton, Daniel Olmedo, Mark Gavrish (Hamilton West); Esteban Caicedo, Joel Montalvo (Hightstown); Andrew Halko, Michael Musente (Hopewell Valley); Jason Romero Silver, Owen Boggs, Edwin Garcia, Elvis Cuevas-Gonzalez, Dimtra Naunum (Lawrence); Luca Ercalano, Nick Angolino, Chase Burrows (Notre Dame); Aidan Cuti, Robert Addo, Abraham Salama (Nottingham); Jack Serxner, Brian Donis, James Reynolds (Princeton); Alex Ivanov, Nana Kofi Appiah, Stefano Muscaro, Will Schreier (Robbinsville); Colin St. John, Nick Vernon, Chase Schultz, Lane Charcot, Evan Sinclairs, Thomas Kowalczyk (Steinert); Sylvester Garrison, Walmer Arellano, Brian Blanco (Trenton); Praneel Patukanuri, Gideon Lubin, Sunish Ghosh (WW-P North); Rory Grace, Daniel Pulido, Casey Sapienza, Johnny Cruz, Riotaro Hanai (WW-P South).
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sean Smith (Robbinsville)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jeff Fisher (Robbinsville)
