To exemplary athletes, accolades aren’t the goal – recognition is a small reward for their dedication and hard work. A stand-out Cherry Hill High School East athlete, Cruz Candray (‘26), has received the national honor for the Fall East All-Region Team for boys soccer. The honor is a reflection of Candray’s talent, ambition, and success during the entirety of his high school soccer career.
The Fall East All-Region Team is a selection of the top high school players in the mid-Atlantic region that are recognized and highlighted as standout athletes. During the 2025 season, in the striker position, Candray netted 8 goals and 12 assists. In the span of his high school career, he earned an impressive 74 total points – 26 goals and 22 assists. Overall, Candray’s stat line serves as evidence for how, and why, he received this national recognition.
For Candray, the honor was a culmination of the time he devoted to the game. Candray said that the national honor is a “great accomplishment in [his] career that [he is] very grateful for.”
Also, Candray explained that training every day was the key to his successes on the field. His training plan was not only to work tirelessly on the field, but also to prepare himself mentally and build up his confidence. Nothing was given, but everything was earned.
The East boys soccer team faced major hurdles over the course of the season. Candray said that there were difficult moments, such as, after holding a 9-0-1 record, losing their first game of the season to Moorestown, with a one goal difference. At first, the boys felt defeated. However, Candray emphasized that in sports, there will always be obstacles to overcome and that a loss was only a tiny part of their team’s bigger journey. The most resilient athletes will fight for results. As a result of the boys soccer team’s mental strength, they were able to earn and host a sectional final against Southern High School.
Candray reflects on the soccer season as one full of comradery and love.
“I’m most proud of the unity and brotherhood that was built into the team this year,” said Candray.
Additionally, he commended his coaches and teammates for helping his growth as both a player and, more importantly, an individual. Candray said that Head Coach Mike Melograno emphasized to the players that if not all of them pursued a career in soccer — whatever their aspirations may be — he hoped to make them “strong men for their futures.”
As a recipient of the Fall East All Region team, Candray was asked to forward-think on his goals. Simply, Candray aims to grow in fields aside from the soccer field.
As the senior captain departs from East, he leaves behind this advice to younger athletes, “Growth is what propels you forward into success. Always have that drive and will, and put in those extra hours… even when you don’t want to.”
