Defending More Than the Goal

John Johnson and Jack Laird | September 17, 2025

Playing in the Goal: Tino Scaranuzzo directing the team up the field after stopping a goal. September 2, 2025. Photo courtesy: Denise Larka

With only three years of experience, Foran soccer player Tino Scaranuzzo looks to push past his challenging schedule with a young new group of players. Scaranuzzo, the goalie, is considered one of the leaders on the team and will be doing everything in his power to guide his team to success this season.

The season began on September 2 with a difficult first game against the Branford Hornets. After a long fought game, the Lions lost 3-0. Scaranuzzo states, “I see myself as a leader on the team and contribute to the success or failure of our team.”

Tino knows this year he is going to face a lot of adversity and struggle. Despite the battles, he plans on expressing his leadership role, pushing past all the obstacles.

Even though the season is off to a rough start, Scaranuzzo plans to start taking initiative. Scaranuzzo says, “I need to make sure everyone is putting their best foot forward, which will result in hopefully a successful season.” With practice being four days a week, Scaranuzzo is starting to hold younger, less experienced players accountable, boosting the chances of success.

Scaranuzzo models his playstyle after Tye Haley. Haley was a four-year varsity soccer player for Foran High School. This year, Haley is doing a post-graduation at Taft, looking to continue his college career. Scaranuzzo states, “He was a leader on and off the field.”

The impact Haley showed to the underclassmen, especially Scaranuzzo, truly influenced how he will approach this upcoming season.

Although striving for success this season, Scaranuzzo explains, “Under pressure, the team folds, gets nervous, panics. I’m going to be doing everything on my side to help.”

The Lions players need to overcome doubt and fear for success this year. A killer instinct is extremely hard to teach, but the Lions remain on the hunt.

Scaranuzzo, the leader, plans on making states this season but knows the dedication and hard work needed to achieve this. Thursday, September 18, 7:30 pm, Tino and the Foran Lions battle against Shehan in hopes of picking up another victory.

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About the Contributors

John Johnson, Staff Writer

Hi, my name is John Johnson, and I’m a junior at Foran High School. This is my 1st year taking journalism, and I am a staff writer. I picked journalism because I love writing and learning about the people and places around me. At Foran, I am involved in basketball and baseball. In my free time, I enjoy the beach, hanging out with friends, and fishing. Some other things about myself is that I want to major in business and play college baseball.

Jack Laird, Staff Writer

Hi, my name is Jack Laird, and I’m a freshman at Foran High School. This is my first year taking journalism, and I am a staff writer. I picked journalism because I love writing and learning about the people and places around me. At Foran, I am involved in boys soccer and boys basketball. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends and watching sports. Some other things about myself are that I have 2 sisters.