No. 3 Harrison
Last year’s record: 22-1-1
Final ranking: No. 2
Marquee game: vs. Kearny, at Red Bull Arena, Sept. 27
Best asset: The Blue Tide return six starters and 10 seniors altogether who know what it takes to win big games. Leandro Gonzales is a tremendous field general in the middle of the offense. Senior Nick Araujo in goal and classmates Rodrigo and Marcelo Esquivel are the backbone of a tremendous defense that has been overshadowed in past years by the high-powered Blue Tide offense, despite posting 19 shutouts in 24 games last season.
Biggest concern: The Blue Tide lost 73 goals with the graduations of Modou Sowe, Jose Neto and Kevin Villanueva. So 15th-year coach Mike Rusek will be looking to players who were in supporting roles last season like Christian Marques, who scored six of his 11 goals in the state tournament, and Ali Lakhrif (14 goals) to step up in the offense.
— Greg Schutta
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