SPOTLIGHT: Michael Bamundo, GL Soccer

Michael Bamundo, Governor Livingston

Junior Sweeper, Co-Captain, 5-9, 145 pounds

JUST THE STATS:  Bamundo had both goals in two 1-0 wins in the second and third games of the season when the offense was struggling to find its form. It helped the team get off to a strong, winning start.  He stepped up when asked who would take the first PK in a shootout in the Union County Quarterfinals – and made it. Bamundo also scored a goal in the first round of the State Tournament.

COACH’S COMMENT:  "Michael is one of the hardest working kids I have seen in a long time. You will see him up on corners and sprinting to play defense. He's a natural leader by example." -- Coach Bruno Somma

KEYS TO THE 2011 SEASON:  "There have been many keys to the success of our season. But the main keys have been the play of midfielder Jeramey Robbins and forward Julian Light. Jeramey’s play in midfield helped produce the majority of our goals this season. Julian has been injured most of the year with a hip injury, but when he came back, he instantly provided a spark. He rejuvenated our offense and got in form just in time for the State Tournament."

THE GL DEFENSE:  Bamundo teams up with Junior Outside Backs Max Dooley and Torben Halvorsen, and Senior Stopper Kyle Morris, who along with Senior Keeper Jon Robbins have had 10 clean sheets so far.

"We have a very strong defense this year, which was kind of unexpected. Nobody knew if Torben would be playing high school ball until the beginning of preseason, while Max and Kyle, who normally play midfield, had to come out of their comfort zone and step up to play defense. They’ve done a great job keeping the defense strong.  And the contributions of Dylan Weitz and Michael Esposito have been important after Torben got injured against Dayton a few weeks ago.”

NO PANIC IN FALLING BEHIND:  GL has found itself behind repeatedly during this season but has come back again and again to get their 18 wins. The key?

"We like to pride ourselves on our composure in those kinds of situations. We have the confidence in our strikers and midfielders that if we’re not getting exactly what we want early in the game, it’s going to come later."

SIGNATURE "POISE" GAME:  GL rallied from a 2-0 deficit on September 22 to beat Westfield.

"That was a defining moment for this team. We were behind early in the game, but we didn’t break down. We didn’t try to force anything; no one person tried to take over. We just tried to compact the game in their half, move the ball and let it come."

TEAM CHEMISTRY:  Several players on this GL team played for seven years together on the Berkeley Heights Bulldogs. This has enhanced the chemistry of the team, on and off the field. It seems that each player knows where everyone will be at almost every moment of every game. Off the field, the team gels really well and is always looking for something to do together, whether it be going out to eat or going to hang at someone’s house to play FIFA.

COLLEGE PLANS:  “I’ve started to send emails to college coaches so they can come watch me play at tournaments and showcases in the winter and spring seasons. The main thing for a player wanting to play in college is to be seen by coaches.”

ACADEMIC GOALS:  “I want to pursue a career in communications to be either a journalist or a broadcaster. I am also considering a career in education so I can be a coach at a school level while being a teacher.”

PREPARE FOR NEXT LEVEL:  "I have to see everything happening on the field faster and sooner. I also have to significantly improve my touch on the ball and get stronger and faster.”

STRENGTH OF HIS GAME:  Tactical awareness; providing vocal leadership and always looking for a place on the field where his guidance can help the team; ability to win headers and 50/50 challenges is significant, no matter the size of his opponent.

SOCCER BACKGROUND:  Bamundo grew up in Berkeley Heights and played travel soccer for seven years with many of his current teammates and being coached by his father, Jeff, throughout those early years.  He and his Bulldog teammates were fortunate enough to have some great professional trainers like Gavin Flannigan and Dan Gronnow (then with UK Elite). He went on to join FC Premier where he began working with Coach Steve Jones, also of UK Elite. That team, now in its second year under the Everton NJ banner, was ranked as high as #5 in the State last year and is still coached by Jones.

CLUB TEAM:  Everton NJ (playing with GL teammates Anthony Oliveira and Max Dooley).

OTHER SPORTS:  Played baseball until Freshman year in high school, as well as basketball until 6th grade; enjoys pick-up games with friends.

OTHER INTERESTS:  "I like to write about recent sporting events and games we have played and provide my insights into what I have seen.”

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER:  Started as a Sophomore on Varsity last year (at Stopper), improved his comfort level at this level of competition and with this speed of play. Received the honor of being chosen Team Captain as a Junior this season and starting at Sweeper.

The team is 18-1-1 this season. Lost in the quarterfinals against Linden on penalty kicks in the County Tournament; volunteered and made the first PK of the shootout. The team won its Conference for the first time in 17 years and received the #1 seed for the State Tournament; named 1st Team All-Conference for the Mountain Valley Conference.  Currently ranked #17 in the State in Star Ledger Top 20.

TEAM PEAKING:  "We peaked in the beginning of the season by starting out 9-0. We then lost to Delaware Valley, a sectional rival, 3-2, in a hard-fought and hotly contested match. Our defense was a main reason for this strong start as our offense had a tough time for a while putting the ball in the net often enough for more comfortable wins.  Luckily, that doesn’t seem to be the case any more.”

BEST SOCCER ADVICE:  “Always have confidence in yourself. When you lose your confidence and your belief in yourself, it is tough to play to the best of your ability.”

FAVORITE MOVIE:  Transformers and Lord of the Rings series – all of them!

FAVORITE TV SHOWS:  The Office and SportsCenter

FAVORITE MUSIC:  Rap – Mac Miller and Kid Cudi

FAVORITE VIDEO GAMES:  FIFA Soccer and Assassin’s Creed

FAVORITE SUBJECTS:  Math and Italian

FAVORITE FOOD(S):  Cheeseburger and Pasta

THREE FOR DINNER:  His late grandfather, Paul Bamundo, Derek Jeter and Aaron Rodgers.

(The information compiled by GL dad Jeff Bamundo)