Saint Joe's Soccer Takes Home GMC Championship

Troy Boucher ‘25 stood in between the goalposts like he had thousands of times before. The bright lights shining down during what proved to be the final seconds of the 2024 Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament title match at Piscataway High School.

Boucher’s Falcons were tied with South Brunswick going into the fifth, and potential final, round of penalty kicks. He already made one save diving to his left in the third round and needed one more stop to give Saint Joe’s a shot at their first conference title in 14 years. 

As the South Brunswick player ripped the kick, Boucher dove to his right and punched the ball away from the goalline. Boucher’s mission was complete. 

Less than a minute later, it was Noah Charnecky ‘27’s turn in the spotlight. The sophomore forward, who burst onto the scene this season and accounted for six of the team’s 32 goals, needed one more tally to bring home the trophy. 

He approached the ball, torqued his right leg and launched a shot that will go down in the Saint Joseph soccer history books, a sharp ground ball tucked inside the left goal post, giving the Falcons the championship.

“Winning the first title since 2010 feels like a huge accomplishment, it was one of the team goals we set at the beginning of the year and we made it happen,” Charnecky said. “I felt confident walking up to take the penalty. I knew it was a big moment and as soon as I scored I was going to celebrate with my teammates and the student body.”

The 2024 Greater Middlesex Conference title is a testament to hard work and dedication from the entire team. Mason Atkins ‘26 notched his first goal of the season to give Saint Joe’s the lead in the first half, off an assist from Derian Wubbenhorst ‘26. 

Head coach Sam Roca said the talent he has up front allows the team to have a “lethal attack” with options up and down the lineup. 

“Each of our players have stepped up in a big way for us throughout our season by providing much needed fire power and posing a constant threat to the opposing team's defenses,” Roca said. “As far as growth and the future I feel it is as bright as it has ever been due to the success of the season and bringing more eyes on our program via our GMC Championship.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Saint Joe’s ranks first in the state in conceded goals (nine) and proved they will be a force to be reckoned with as the state tournament draws near.

Since suffering a season-opening 1-0 defeat at the hands of South Brunswick in the season opener, the Falcons went 13-0-2, including nine shutouts. 

In the final, Boucher stopped four of the five shots he faced and the defense protected him throughout the match.

“I'd say that our defense definitely sets the tone of every game we play in,” Boucher said. “We instill confidence that resonates throughout the entire team. We go into each game expecting to shut the other team out, which sets a standard that no team has matched in the last 15 games. There are some huge players in the back line that don't have many stats because they do all the dirty work. We recognize that and uplift their efforts constantly, which is one of the keys to our success.”

The victory propelled the Falcons to the No. 4 seed in the upcoming NJSIAA Non-Public A Tournament.  

Roca said his squad is ready for the challenge, after facing the best teams in Central Jersey over the past few seasons.

“When I took over the position as Head Coach I made a promise to my coaching staff, the players, and the alumni to right the ship and work to return Saint Joe's Soccer back to its former glory,” Roca said. “It has been a tough and grueling process over the past few years as we battled all the top Group 4 opponents in the GMC Red division game in and game out. But my coaching staff and all of our players brick by brick rebuilt the program back into the most dangerous team in the GMC and propelled us back into the championship conversation. I am extremely proud of all of our players for what they have accomplished so far this season and for bringing the GMC title back home where it belongs. But the job is not done yet.”

The Falcons host the winner of No. 5 St. John Vianney and No. 12 Camden Catholic in the quarterfinals of South Jersey, Non-Public A tournament on Friday 11/8.