Boys' Soccer: 2025 Season Preview

The Newark Academy boys’ soccer team enters the 2025 season looking to bounce back and compete under the guidance of head coach Hernando Santamaria.

2024 Season Recap
The Minutemen wrapped up the 2024 campaign with a 5–12–1 record. Despite the results, the season included several tightly contested matchups and valuable minutes for underclassmen who will play key roles in 2025. Newark Academy graduated a pair of standout seniors in Nathan Schwartz ’25 (All-SEC Liberty Division Second Team, All-Prep B First Team) and Riley Huang ’25 (All-SEC Liberty Division Honorable Mention). 

Key Returners
Fortunately for the Minutemen, the roster still features several decorated returners. Kai van Garderen ’27 returns after earning First Team honors in both the SEC Liberty Division and Prep B. Zach Shirodkar ’26 (All-SEC Liberty Second Team) and KJ Powell ’26 (All-SEC Liberty and Prep B Honorable Mention) will help guide the team.

Season Outlook
With 2025 captains yet to be announced, the team will look for new leaders to emerge as they prepare for a challenging Super Essex Conference Liberty Division slate. Newark Academy will take on Montclair Kimberley Academy, West Essex, Columbia, Bloomfield, and Glen Ridge throughout the fall. The Minutemen open their season on the road against MKA on Tuesday, September 2 at 4 p.m. They are also looking forward to playing cross-town rival, Livingston, at Red Bull Arena at 7 p.m. on Monday, September 29.

Get your tickets here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/newarkacademy25