The 13th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard visited the Garden State on Wednesday, Dec. 20 to celebrate the
Holmdel (N.J.) boys soccer team and its
NJSIAA Group 2 undefeated state championship season.
The Hornets completed a memorable season by knocking off Dover 4-1 in the title game to claim their first state title since 2010. Holmdel finished No. 8 in
MaxPreps' National Rankings for the 2017 season.
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
MaxPreps and the New Jersey Army National Guard honored the Hornets at a special school assembly in the high school commons area. Athletic Director Shane Fallon opened the ceremony, which was attended by students, faculty and the devoted parents of Hornet soccer players. Fallon then introduced MaxPreps representative Armand Milanesi, who discussed Holmdel's 20-0 record, head coach John Nacarlo's 200th win and, of course, the Hornets' state championship victory.
Milanesi introduced Sergeant Christina Segura of the New Jersey Army National Guard, who talked about dedication, leadership, commitment and duty, shared character traits of a championship team and the Army National Guard. SGT Segura presented Nacarlo and his team with the prestigious Army National Guard national ranking trophy and the nationally ranked rafter banner.
Adorned in their new commemorative Tour of Champions t-shirts, Holmdel soccer players beamed with pride as they received the very hardware that only 10 boys soccer teams from across the country receive each season! Nacarlo thanked the administration, his coaching staff and Hornet players and their parents for their roles during the memorable season.
The ceremony moved to the gymnasium, where the MaxPreps Travel Team interviewed Holmdel coaches and players and took pictures. Local media also had the opportunity to interview Hornet players about the national recognition they received from MaxPreps and the Army National Guard. Winning a state championship was a goal at the beginning of "double session" practices, however, being ranked No. 8 in the country from a pool of over 15,000 boys soccer teams is a memory that will forever be etched in the minds of Hornet soccer players and the entire school. Congratulations Holmdel Hornets and best wishes in 2018!
Click
here to view the Holmdel TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Soccer TOC, please visit the
MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
