29° and Clear
Image
Image/Steven Cohen
If you happen to be walking near Clifton High School and see a wave of bleach-blonde hair coming towards you, don’t be alarmed - what you’re seeing is the CHS boys’ soccer team. A tradition that began several years prior, the boys are all rocking dyed hair in celebration of winning the county finals and moving forward. All blonde and filled to the brim with determination, the boys are prepared for the journey to finals, a feat the team hasn’t had the chance to attempt since 2019.
The team currently holds more county titles than any other boys' soccer team in Passaic County with a whopping twenty-three victories. In November 1st’s sectional semifinals, they faced off against Ridgewood, the team that gave them their only loss of the entire season. This time, they emerged triumphant with an impressive win of 3-0, meaning that the boys will go on to the sectional finals against Kearny High School. The game is on Saturday, November 4th, at 2 p.m. on home turf at Clifton High School at 333 Colfax Avenue. Tickets for the big game can be purchased here or at the entrance to the field, which can be found on the right-hand side of the school, for $5. Students are not required to pay as long as they bring their school ID and children under five years old get in for free.
If the team wins on Saturday, it will put them closer to the state championship than they managed to get last year at the sectional finals when they unfortunately lost to West Orange. For the past three years, the team has been on the cusp of victory, either reaching semi-sectionals or further, but have been defeated just before they can go all the way. After many years of close calls, it’s an understatement to say that the boys are hungry for a win.
These athletes train year-round to ensure they are in peak condition for the fall season, whether that be full practices and conditioning just before the school year begins, indoor soccer leagues in the winter, outdoor soccer leagues in the spring along with daily practices, or with more league soccer in the summer- if you can believe it.
Senior and three-year Varsity player, Gavin Gutshteyn is “extremely excited” for what the rest of the season holds. “It’s nice to see our hard work pay off and I am proud of what we have accomplished, regardless of what happens this Saturday.”
———————————————————-———————————
If you want more information about joining CHS’ boys’ soccer team or any of the other many sports available at the high school, email the athletic director Tom Mullahey at TMullahey@cliftonschools.net.
Be sure to come out to support the team and wish the boys luck!
