Clarke secures playoff berth

Based on the way the regular season schedule broke out, Clarke’s boys’ soccer team ended its Conference A-VII campaign a few days earlier than everyone else thanks to a bye in the final week.

But that doesn’t mean the Rams are done making noise on the field. In fact, their 6-5-1 conference record was good enough to earn the program its first playoff berth since 2005. Ultimately, Clarke has a leg up in terms of preparing for its first-round matchup, likely slated for Saturday, though a final determination based on seeding wouldn’t be made until after presstime.

“We’re trying to keep the guys confident, yet grounded,” coach Matt Germaine said. “It’s almost like having a second preseason.”

In the final regular season game on Oct. 18, the Rams dropped a 1-0 decision to Conference A-VII champion Island Trees in a rematch that was far closer than the first battle between the games, a 3-0 win by the Bulldogs on Sept. 28. And in fact, things were as close as the razor-thin final in the rematch suggest. “We got out of playing our style of soccer, which is possessing the ball,” Germaine said. “But [to have that happen] and still keep pace with them [is great]. The first time [we played] we took too long to settle].”

Clarke finished regular season play with consecutive victories before running into Island Trees and allowed just two goals in its final three games. A back line that featured three new starters when the season began has only gotten stronger since. Seniors Gabe Nunez and Alex Cavanagh are locked in as the outside backs with senior Wilfred Moza lining up in between. Sophomore Connor Questel the lone returning starter continues to play a key role. “They’re working really well together,” Germaine said. “They recover quickly and cover each other well.”

Behind the four is senior goalie Matt Schwartz, a three-year starter, who’s come up with several key saves in close games and even contributed in the scoring column when he assisted on a goal earlier this season with a booming downfield punt.

Junior Jose Hernandez, a three-year starter, has been the centerpiece of the offense at center midfield. His fearlessness and vision is a wicked combo when Clarke is on the attack, and he’s teamed well with sophomore Nick Courtney, who’s scored twice and added three assists. Sophomores Tristan Nagel and Justin Gonzalez have also contributed at outside midfield.

A four-year varsity starter, senior Joe Fusco is tied with junior Efrain Cruz in goals — each player has six — making it difficult for defenses to key in on just one of them. Throw in the contribution of senior Gerry DeGuada (three goals) and sophomore Kevin Mejia (two) off the bench and it’s easy to see why Clarke could be a tough out in its return to the playoffs.