In a remarkable 2023 season, the Seton Hall Prep soccer team, under the seasoned leadership of Coach Marty Berman in his thirty-eighth season, showcased exceptional skill, resilience, and teamwork. The Pirates finished with an outstanding record of 19-2-1, culminating in another triumphant journey to clinch the NJSIAA Non-Public North A State Championship. Last season, the Pirates ran the table and made it all the way to the NJSIAA Non-Public A State Championship, but fell to Christian Brothers Academy 1-0. This senior-led Pirates team swore they would make it to the site of the State Championship, played at Franklin HS, and that this year’s outcome would be different.
The team played well in the regular season, beating a solid Columbia team (2-0) and destroying St Joseph’s Prep out of Pennsylvania (8-0) while finishing 3rd in the SEC-American division, an unusual low for the Pirates. The season had its challenges, with two losses early on to Newark East Side (2-1) and Montclair (3-2). However, the team demonstrated their tenacity and determination by turning the tables in the Essex County Tournament. They avenged both losses in dramatic fashion, defeating Newark East Side in the semis (1-0) and Montclair in the finals (2-1).
In the state tournament, the Pirates started out on fire taking care of Hudson Catholic in the quarterfinals (7-2). In the NJSIAA Non-Public North A Semi-Finals, forward Daniel Ariza ’25 played a pivotal role, scoring the crucial goal in overtime against Bergen Catholic leading the team to a 3-2 victory. Reflecting on his game-winning goal, Ariza expressed, “Scoring that goal is something I will remember for the rest of my life. The boys were working hard all season and knew it couldn’t end here. When I scored, I was ecstatic. It was a great day for the team and Seton Hall Prep.”
The journey to Franklin HS continued with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over rival Delbarton in Morristown in the NJSIAA Non-Public North A Finals. The Pirates then secured a resounding 3-0 win against Christian Brothers Academy in the State Finals, capping off a stellar season and claiming the coveted state championship.
The team’s captains, all 3-year varsity guys were, goalie Ray Bonanno ‘24, forward Eddie Krupski ‘24, and defensemen Wil Bauer ‘24 provided exemplary leadership. Krupski, committed to Rutgers, was a standout performer with an impressive record of 30 goals and 8 assists. Krupski became just the second player to ever score 30 goals in a season for Coach Berman along with Charlie Rowan ’96. Bauer, bound for Catholic University, emphasized the team’s commitment to the goal, stating, “The goal of any SHP team is to win a state championship. For the soccer team, it has become sort of a norm the past few years.”
Midfielder Max Williams ‘24, committed to Gettysburg, also played a crucial role in the team’s success. Whye Li Ong ’24 and Nicholas Lapczynski ’24 were also huge contributors to the team’s success. Roan Sullivan ’24 and Brady Longstreet ’24 anchored the Pirates back line along with Bauer helping the team record 11 shutouts on the year.
Ben Mills ’25 (6 goals, 19 assists), and Jeremy Munoz ’25 (4 goals, 11 assists), prevailed as one of the best midfield duos in the state, and contributed significantly to the team’s dynamic play. Mills and Munoz, who previously played for an MLS Next Program, made a seamless transition in their first year with the SHP soccer program.
Forward Lucas Mendes ’25 also had a wonderful year scoring 12 goals and 14 assists in his second year on varsity. Mendes reflected on the season, stating, “This season was great for us. We started off shaky, but you really felt that towards the end of the season we clicked and came together to win a state championship.”
Bauer shared insights into the team’s mindset after the early setbacks, noting, “These two losses were crucial. We were brought closer together as a team and never looked back. We knew on our day we were the best team in the state, and after winning the county championship, we knew the state was ours.”
Munoz added, “We made some changes and became unstoppable,” encapsulating the team’s transformation and resilience.
The seniors, experiencing the euphoria of a state championship, reveled in their favorite moments, including overcoming East Side and Montclair. Bauer highlighted the team’s determination, stating, “The coaches made some great tactical adjustments which set us up to control the county semi versus East Side and overwhelm a strong Montclair side in the final.”
In a full-circle moment, the Pirates secured the state championship in a rematch against Christian Brothers Academy, completing an unforgettable chapter in Seton Hall Prep soccer history. The dedication, perseverance, and teamwork displayed by this exceptional group of players will undoubtedly leave a legacy as one of the best teams to play at Seton Hall Prep.
Mendes, Mills, Munoz, Ariza, midfielder Daniel Dashkevich ’25 and defensemen Matthew Maceri ’25 and William Frank ’25 are set to lead the Pirates next season with the hopes of winning back-to-back state championships, because in the words of Mendes, “At Seton Hall Prep, the expectation is state championship or bust.”