South Plainfield Boys Soccer 2026 Season Opener

South Plainfield boys soccer enters its third season under head coach Kyle Dennis with a roster built on returning talent and young ambition. The Tigers open the 2026 campaign with nine returning starters, including senior forward Andy Zapata, who carries 14 career goals into his final year.

Union County Life is covering the South Plainfield athletic season as the Tigers prepare for another competitive campaign. The squad finished last year 7-9-2, scoring 22 goals across 18 games. Ten of those 22 goals came from returning players.

The roster balances experience with youth. Zapata was second on the team last year with 5 goals. Senior wing Hunter Ravi brought 2 goals and 3 assists. Senior midfielder Allen Perez led the team with 4 assists and added 1 goal. Senior Will Sanchez chipped in 2 goals and 1 assist. Junior goalie Iker Cunalata recorded 117 saves last season, including a 13-save performance in a 1-0 playoff loss to Millburn in the NJSIAA North 2, Group 3 tournament.

"Our biggest weakness is a lack of experience," Dennis said. "We have a young group of players who will be seeing varsity time for the first time in their careers."

The coach sees the roster's makeup as a strength too. "We have great leadership within our team, along with a combination of young, new players who are both technical and coachable," Dennis said.

Early non-conference matchups include games against Westfield and Holmdel. The team also competes in the GMC World Cup group stages.

"We look to be competitive within our division and hope to advance out of the GMC World Cup group stages this year," Dennis said. "We hope they can adapt to the speed of play and establish their roles early in the season."

Find more South Plainfield sports coverage, events, and local news on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: When does South Plainfield boys soccer start the 2026 season?
A: The Tigers open their 2026 campaign in early September with matches against non-conference opponents including Westfield and Holmdel, and competition in the GMC World Cup group stages.

Q: Who are the returning senior players for South Plainfield boys soccer?
A: Senior forward Andy Zapata (14 career goals, 5 last season), senior wing Hunter Ravi (2 goals, 3 assists), senior midfielder Allen Perez (4 assists, 1 goal), and senior Will Sanchez (2 goals, 1 assist) lead the roster. Junior goalie Iker Cunalata returns with 117 saves from last season.

Q: What is coach Kyle Dennis's record with South Plainfield?
A: Kyle Dennis is in his third season as head coach. Last year the team finished 7-9-2, scoring 22 goals across 18 games with 10 of those goals from returning players.

Q: What is the Tigers' goal this season?
A: Coach Dennis said the team hopes to be competitive within their division and advance out of the GMC World Cup group stages this year. The focus is on helping young players adapt to the speed of varsity play and establish their roles early.

Q: Where can I find South Plainfield news and sports coverage?
A: Union County Life covers South Plainfield sports, events, and local news. Visit unioncountylife.com or subscribe to the South Plainfield newsletter.