Montville High School (N.J.) Girl’s varsity soccer head coach Nicholas Sands carries a constant reminder of what he wants for his players and his program every time a new season begins, as he scans the walls of the school’s gym.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Sands said he feels something important is missing from the gym’s surroundings.
“As a high school Phys. Ed. teacher at Montville High School, every day I have to walk into the gym headed to work and look at a room missing a Girl’s (Championship) Soccer Banner,” said Sands, who will be headed into his eight year at the helm. “Every year, I start out my first pre-season post practice speech reminding my girls of that. The possibility has been so close the last two years! We’re looking to add that banner again in 2026. Roll Stangs!”
The Mustangs (12-7) came close to Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) National Conference titles in 2024 and 25, with second place finishes both seasons. But this year could be a different story, Sands noted.
He is returning seven players including rising junior forward standout Karolina Bodyziak, who paced Montville with a single-season scoring record of 27 goals and 10 assists for 64 points. Plus, she earned first team NJAC top 40 player status, first team All-County, and team MVP honors.
Plus, rising senior Zara Serekur, a top defensive midfielder who made first team NJAC, second team All-County, and is a 2026 co-captain. Plus, rising junior midfielder Amelie Richmond, a second team NJAC member. Not to mention rising senior midfielder Chloe Kurzer, who registered two goals and added five helpers last campaign and is a 2026 team co-captain, as well.
Additionally, rising sophomore goalie Juliana Benecki, a backup who made four saves in two contests last year. On the defensive side will be rising seniors Chase Agrusti and Caroline Fariello.
Moreover, the ultimate goal of winning and capturing a conference championship is not lost on the Mustangs, who are chomping at the bit get to back to work and be victorious, first and foremost.
“The last two seasons we’ve had a good run, but this year we want to finish even stronger and finally win some titles,” Kurzer said. “We have a great group of girls who all work hard and push each other every day. I think if we stay focused, keep improving, and play together as a team, we have a really good chance to accomplish our goals this season.”
Serukur and Bodyziak echoed her teammate’s confidence in the club’s potential for a successful 2026 campaign.
“I am super excited to get started with this upcoming season,” Serukur exclaimed. “We have been building and improving as a core group for the past three-four years, and I think we have huge potential as a team this season. We have a lot of talent, energy, excitement, and are very hungry to win.”
“I’m really excited for the 2026 season because I feel like we have a lot to prove,” Bodyziak said. “We’ve learned from the past few seasons that we have the potential to do something really special. We’re hungry to compete, and I’m looking forward to seeing how far we can go.”
She added as far as her individual accomplishments go: ” Breaking the single season record last year was honestly an amazing feeling, especially knowing how much work I put in throughout the season. But I try not to focus too much on the records. My main goal is to help the team win and be the best player and teammate I can be. If I’m able to go beyond 47 goals this year (a program mark), it would definitely be really special, but I’d be even happier if it came with a great season for our team.”
After losing numerous seniors to graduation, Sands said he has already turned the page and is leaving the challenge to win in the collective hands of this season’s squad.
“Going into this year the goal doesn’t change,” Sands declared. “A constant question I get asked is how will the team compete after losing 16 graduating seniors? Those 16 seniors were a huge component to our previous success the last two seasons but now it’s up to this year’s team to live up to the expectation and leave their own mark on the 2026 season.”
The Mustangs will scrimmage Glen Ridge on Wednesday, August 26th at 3:30 p.m. at home. Then, Montville will open up the year at Passaic Tech on Friday, August 28th at 3:00 p.m.
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