Summit's boys soccer team has won 10 straight games and climbed to No. 19 in the NJ.com Top 20.
The Hilltoppers improved to 11-1 with a 3-1 win at Glen Ridge on Thursday, Oct. 8. That came two days after six different Summit players scored in a 6-0 shutout of New Providence on Tuesday, Oct. 6, during Hilltopper Week. Two goalkeepers split time in the clean sheet.
The streak dates to Sept. 8, when Elizabeth handed Summit its lone loss, 1-0. The Hilltoppers have not lost since.
Through 12 games, Summit has outscored opponents 31-9. The defense, anchored by All-State Third Team defender Teddy Mixon and the returning back line, has posted five shutouts. Goalkeepers Joe Dadourian and Luca Gianni have split duties all season. Dadourian earned the win in goal against Glen Ridge.
At Watsessing Park in Bloomfield, Cruz Romano led the attack with two goals against Glen Ridge. Angelo Bolanos added a goal, and co-captain Jayden Torres dished three assists, according to NJ.com.
The week before, Summit knocked off then-No. 11 Scotch Plains-Fanwood 2-1 on Oct. 1 and blanked Hunterdon Central 1-0 on Oct. 3 before the New Providence win.
Summit entered the NJ.com Top 20 for the first time this season in the Oct. 8 rankings. The Hilltoppers are 3-1 in the Union County Conference Watchung Division.
Senior co-captain Maxim Kalinichenko predicted the defensive strength before the season started. "We have a lot of guys returning in the back, and we've built a lot of trust with each other," Kalinichenko said in the team's Sept. 6 season preview. "We're going to be tough to break down."
Through 12 games, the numbers back him up.
Head coach Dan Jamnik, a longtime assistant who took over the program this fall, has Summit competing in NJSIAA North 2, Group 3. The Hilltoppers won the sectional title in 2023, reached the semifinals in 2024 and fell in the sectional final to Cranford 1-0 last year.
Summit hosts Ridge and Southern Regional on Saturday, Oct. 10, then travels to Morris Knolls and hosts Westfield on Tuesday, Oct. 13. The regular season wraps up Oct. 27 against Johnson at home.
