“Seeing these kids grow up is a blessing, and we hope they can continue to go in the right path.”
Burlington Township High School boys soccer coach Alec Golini may not have seen his team finish with the best record in 2016, but he did see improvement for the future. The 25-year-old is coming into his second year at Burlington Township looking to see if the Falcons can take the next step both on and off the field.
“When I started, I wanted to try and change the culture of the team,” Golini said. “Of course we want to be successful on the pitch, but we also want these young men to focus on other aspects of life.”
During his playing days, the Rancocas Valley High School graduate was a national All-American in 2009 and was also tabbed as the New Jersey South Player of the Year by the NJSCA. Golini was a two-time member of the All-South Jersey First Team while also picking up Philadelphia Inquirer and Burlington County South Jersey Player of the Year honors. Golini was a three-year captain at Rancocas Valley and was a starter for the 2008 Group IV state championship team. He later would play 58 matches across four seasons at Lafayette College, earning all Patriot League honors in 2012.
“I knew before I graduated Lafayette, I wanted to get involved with coaching,” Golini said. “I was believed in by many people throughout my life, and I wanted to give that same belief back to kids who are in the position I once was.”
The Falcons recorded an 8–11–1 record a year ago, in a very competitive BCSL Liberty Division. Paired with the likes of nationally-ranked Delran, Rancocas Valley, Cinnaminson, and Moorestown isn’t easy for the Falcons, but Golini feels the team can use it as a building block.
“It’s going to be tough,” Golini said. “We have to look at those games as an opportunity to improve to where we want to be. The boys have to use it as motivation and if we put the work in we can get there one day.”
Golini looks to several players to lead the team this season.
Senior goalkeeper Cory Smith, senior defender Davide Conigliaro, junior midfielder Sunny Singh, junior midfielder Justin Giordano, and junior midfielder Emir Selimovic are five key players Golini will look to this season.
“These players will be key to us this season, and how successful we can be,” Golini said. “However, not only are we trying to be successful in 2017, we are looking for our seniors to help groom the team for the next couple of years too.”
Off the field, Golini wants the team to be outstanding young men as well. He would like to see the players change not only as players, but in the classrooms as well.
“The best part about coaching is that you have the opportunity to help develop young men for the next part of their lives,” Golini said. “We want to win the day, not only on the practice field but also in the classrooms. I want these young men to be top students and also huge in the community as well.”
The goals for the Falcons this season, according to Golini, will be to make the state tournament and be competitive, but also to continue to grow as people.
“Seeing these kids grow up is a blessing, and we hope they can continue to go in the right path.”
For more information on Golini or the BTHS Falcons Soccer team, check http://highschoolsports.nj.com/school/burlington-burlington-township/boyssoccer/.
