MORE TO COME: Nick Matese, left, marks a Notre Dame High player last fall in his senior season for the Princeton High boys’ soccer team. Star center back and co-captain Matese helped PHS go 22-2 last fall on the way to winning the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state championship. Matese is currently in preseason training as he starts his college career with the Swarthmore College men’s soccer team. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Nick Matese started playing soccer when he was three years old and saw no reason to leave the game after wrapping up his Princeton High career last fall.

“Soccer has been a big part of my life,” said Matese, who starred at center back last fall as the PHS boys’ soccer team won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 4 state championship. “There were some really good coaches that inspired me and helped me grow as a player as I was getting into high school. I didn’t really want to give it up just yet.”

This week, Matese is getting his college career underway, starting preseason training for the Swarthmore College men’s soccer team.

After considering a range of schools in his recruiting process, Matese found a good fit in Swarthmore.

“I went to the their camp twice and I had a great experience,” said Matese. “What really stood out to me was the current players who were working those camps were all super nice. They were joking around with each other — it seemed like a really great place to be. Their coach (Eric Wagner) made a great impression. It also matches my academic goals.”

Matese is leaving PHS with some great memories of the program’s brilliant 22-2 championship campaign.

“I am really grateful for the opportunity to have that experience,” said Matese. “It was a perfect way to cap off all four years — with the previous three years of [Wayne] Sutcliffe and then getting [Ryan] Walsh a title in his first year with my friends who I played with since kindergarten.”

Three of those friends — Jamie Reynolds, Patrick Kenah, and Connor Hewitt — joined Matese to form a stellar back line for the Tigers.

“I played with all three of them on club teams, we go all of the way back to elementary school,” said Matese.

Although PHS lost 2-1 to powerhouse Pennington in the Mercer County Tournament final, it played some high level soccer that the Tigers carried over into their state tournament run.

“The whole team felt that was played as good as we could, especially in the second half,” said Matese, reflecting on the loss to the Red Hawks which saw the foes knotted at 1-1 for most of the second half until Pennington scored the winning goal in the last two minutes of the contest. “We almost beat them out, we outplayed them at certain points. It didn’t go our way in the end. We were obviously a little disappointed but it really gave us confidence that we can play with these top teams. They went on to beat St. Benedict’s.”

Rebounding in the Group 4 tourney, PHS outscored foes 18-2 as it posted five straight victories to win the Central Jersey sectional and earn a spot in the state championship game against Kearny.
“It really felt like we got a flow thing,” said Matese, reflecting on that stretch. “There wasn’t that much rest time between games, that was the schedule. We recovered and had a more intense practice the day before to get ready for the game. We had our rituals as a team.”

In the title game against Kearny, the Tigers had to recover from a 2-1 halftime deficit to pull out a 3-2 win as they got second half goals from Pasquale Carusone and Archie Smith to earn the title.
“Going into halftime down a goal, we were in the locker room coming together trying to make a comeback,” said Matese. “The final goal was even more special because Archie had the “Free Evan” T-shirt on under our shirt.”

As a team co-captain and the leader of the defensive unit, Matese looked to held things together all season long.

“I wanted to hold people accountable to make sure that we achieved our potential,” said Matese. “We all knew we could do something great this year, we had to stayed focused.”

In addition to helping PHS win a title, Matese also starred for his club team, PFC Barcelona, as it won the New Jersey Youth Soccer (NJYS) boys’ state title this spring.

“It was bittersweet because it was the last time for everyone,” said Matese. “The State Cup final was a crazy game. We got to the semis at the regional. We started well. I think we just came up against a really good team. I am definitely going to miss all of my teammates.”

This summer, Matese is focused on bonding with new teammates.

“We have a couple of group chats, one with the freshmen and one with the whole team,” said Matese. “I have had some Zoom meetings with the coaches, going over some tactics stuff.”

In addition, Matese has been working hard on his conditioning.

“I have been running a lot, we have workouts,” said Matese. “We have a pre-preseason with just the players for a couple of days before we get into it. All of the players are meeting in the Philly area where most of us live. We are doing our own training with no coaches.”

Matese is willing to play any position where he is needed. “In the camp where I had some interest, I played defensive mid which is different from what I played for in club and high school,” said Matese. “I talked to the coach and he wasn’t entirely sure where I might fit in, it will probably be on the defensive end.”

Looking ahead to the preseason, Matese is fired up to get started.

“There is definitely a little bit of nerves, it is a big step,” said Matese. “I am definitely really excited to join the program. I have met some of the kids on the visits. At the camp this summer, I was a counselor. I am definitely looking forward to it.”

With Swarthmore opening its 2024 campaign by hosting Penn State Abington on August 30, Matese is determined to step into a key role for the Garnet.

“I really want to establish myself into the team,” said Matese. “I have high goals for myself, making the travel squad, trying to get some minutes, and just helping the team wherever I can.”