It’s a goal scoring explosion that has not been seen in Union City’s rich soccer history for a long time.
But senior Erick Chicas has been putting up numbers like never before seen.
At press time, Chicas has found the nets an astounding 25 times. It’s just one off the school record, set by Roberto Fernandez, back in 2010. But that’s only since the two soccer powers called Emerson and Union Hill merged. There were probably more proficient goal scorers for those perennial powers.
Still, Chicas’ prowess of finding the back of the nets has to come as somewhat of a surprise, considering the fact that he didn’t play the last two seasons with the Soaring Eagles, electing to play with the famed Den of Lions soccer academy based out of down neck Newark.
So Chicas was somewhat of a forgotten soul once he left the confines of Union City.
“It was a pretty tough decision for me,” Chicas said. “But it was something that I had to do.”
The Den of Lions requires its players to dedicate their time year round, so Chicas could not play for both organizations.
“It was super frustrating for me,” said Union City head coach Bill Shapiro. “I would see the kid in the hallways of school, then know he wasn’t going to play for us. And he’s a popular kid, an outgoing kid who everyone likes. So to see him on a daily basis when he was changing classes really hurt. It was frustrating because I didn’t want to beg the kid to play. There were no hard feelings. It was hard, but once I have to chase a kid to get him to play, then I have to get out of coaching.”
Shapiro moved on without Chicas and believed that the idea of Chicas playing for the Soaring Eagles was a moot point.
But Chicas decided to return to the Soaring Eagles for his senior season.
“It was almost like I never left,” Chicas said. “It was my last year of high school and I had to play here.”
And with the return, Chicas made a promise.
“I told Mr. Shapiro that I was going after the scoring record,” Chicas said. “Honestly, my goal was to score 30 goals. As long as I kept working hard, I thought I had the ability to do it. I didn’t want to sound cocky or anything. I just felt like I could do it.”
From the outset of the season, Chicas has been on a goal-scoring mission. He’s tallied four goals in a game once and reached the three-goal hat trick four other times. Even against state-ranked powers like Kearny and St. Peter’s Prep, Chicas has managed to score twice. He’s scored at least one goal in every Soaring Eagle game this season, totaling 25, coming within one of the school record with a host of games yet to play.
And for his efforts, Chicas has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Chicas said that there is a lot of luck involved with being such a prolific scorer.
“You have to be in the right place at the right time,” Chicas said. “My teammates send me a ball and then I never know what I’m going to do with it. I keep working until I can get off a good shot. But without a doubt, there’s luck. And one who scores a lot of goals will tell you that.”
Chicas said that his relentless style leads to a lot of scoring opportunities.
“I keep going after the ball no matter what,” Chicas said. “I know I’m going to score.”
“He just wants to score more than anyone else,” Shapiro said. “He just outworks everybody. He gets to balls that a lot of other kids have given up on.”
In one of the wins over Memorial, Chicas found the net from 25 yards out just five seconds into the match. It was the quickest goal scored in Shapiro’s tenure at Union City.
“It’s a combination of hard work and incredible skills,” Shapiro said. “His work ethic is amazing. He never gives up.”
In another win over Dickinson, Chicas collected a ball outside the penalty area and had three, perhaps four Dickinson defenders watching his every move.
“But Erick beat all four defenders to the ball and scored,” Shapiro said. “He was able to play through the defenders and scored.”
Shapiro can’t sing the kid’s praises enough.
“He’s phenomenal,” Shapiro said. “You want to see a kid like him get rewarded. He’s probably the hardest working kid I’ve ever coached. He’s also a strong kid. He’s put a lot of time in the weight room.”
Shapiro said that he was in contact with Hernandez and told him that his record was about to fall.
“He was okay with it,” Shapiro said. “He wished Erick well.”
Shapiro said that he was not surprised with Chicas’ incredible season.
“I honestly thought that he could have more by now,” Shapiro said. “It’s all about his efficiency. If he can get a shot, he’s going to take it.”
Shapiro said that Chicas has been receiving interest from schools like Kean, Rutgers-Newark, NJIT and Montclair State.
“I hope more colleges come to see me,” Chicas said. “Then I will decide.”
Chicas is hoping to lead the Soaring Eagles to their first-ever NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group V state title.
“That would mean a lot to me,” Chicas said. “To set a new scoring record and win the states? I can’t even describe that. It’s been amazing honor to work with these teammates. They’ve helped me out. It’s been amazing.”
Almost as amazing as the goal-scoring surge that Erick Chicas has put on. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached via e-mails at OGSMAR@aol.com
