Marlboro Native Advances Soccer Career in New York

It all began in Marlboro Township, when Hunter Gorskie discovered his love of soccer.

"We lived right by Marlboro Elementary school, I basically hop a fence and I'm in the backyard of it," Gorskie said. "They have that big wall, my brother and I would go out there pretty much every day and train against the wall. That's where it all started."

Gorskie, 22, is still the all-time assist leader and second in total points at Marlboro High School. He led the team to Shore Conference semifinals in 2007 and the finals in 2008, Gorskie was first team all-conference and all-county in 2007 and 2008 as well as first team all-state in 2008.

And after an equally successful college career, Gorskie is now a part of the pioneer NY Cosmos team.

Gorskie, a defender with experience as a midfielder, was recruited after his Stanford University career ended and he began to train with the San Jose Earthquakes. 

"[Head coach Giovanni Savarese] told me about the opportunity and I was really excited about it, "Gorskie said. "I heard a lot of good things about him as a coach. It was a great opportunity to get meaningful games under my belt that will help me a lot down the road."

At only 22, Gorskie can say he played for Stanford University 63 times and was a member of the U-18 United States men's National Team pool of players.

"Stanford as a whole was a great place for me and my development. Great weather, great facilities."

Now that he's back on the East Coast, Gorskie said he likes that he can train all week and still see his family on Sundays in Marlboro.

"Looking back, Marlboro was a great place to grow up and to play. I think soccer is just getting more and more popular there. There's a lot of support behind it, a lot of great coaches."

The New York Cosmos are a reincarnation of the North American Soccer League, which originally began in 1967 and seemingly ended in 1985. 

Now, the team is back together and will play its first game on Aug. 3 at Hofstra University. The team is looking to build a stadium near Belmont Park in New York.

As for Gorskie's future plans, he said he's just happy when he's on the field.

"I want to play soccer for as long as I can. Right now, it's about getting better and trying to master what we do and keep improving my weaknesses."