Captains leading High Point soccer run

SUSSEX BOROUGH — There are plenty of teams across the New Jersey high school sports spectrum that are winning the vast majority of their games this fall.
But, not all that many may be able to claim that they are doing so in the convincing fashion of the High Point High School girl’s soccer program.
Through the first two weeks of October, the Wildcats had an overall record of 11-1-1 and they were 4-1 in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division.
What’s all the more impressive is the margin by which High Point has been earning victories on the pitch. After 13 games, the Wildcats had outscored their opponents by a combined score of 40-8.
Certainly many factors go into the type of success being enjoyed by the Wildcats this season and at the top of that list of factors is the performance of the team captains-Sarah Culmone, Elle Sarracco, Brianna Smith and Emma Sytsema-all of whom are seniors.
“I chose these four girls to be captains for several reasons," High Point head coach Aaron Berger said. “More than their abilities as players, they demonstrated character traits that leaders need to have: integrity, strength, an ability to challenge, encourage and sympathize with others and an innate sense of how to take control of a situation. Each one of the girls demonstrates this in their own way, but together they are such solid leaders of our team. They have also worked hard to earn consistent starting spots.
“The areas of improvement that I have seen the most would be their composure under pressure and an ability to see the field and how the game is flowing before it unfolds."
Speaking of improvement, Berger witnesses first hand the various ways in which all four captains guide their teammates in the right direction.
“These four captains do a tremendous job of helping their teammates to improve by being a source of encouragement, both on and off the field," Berger said. “By earning the trust of their fellow teammates, there's never a point where their leadership is in question. They lead by example and show true dedication to our soccer program."
NOTES: On Oct. 24, High Point is slated to travel to face Hackettstown and on Oct. 26, High Point has a home game scheduled versus Newton. Last year, the Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2 Sectional Tournament where they were defeated by Mahwah. The opening rounds of the Sectional Tournament get underway across the state on Nov. 1.