More Than a Soccer Club: Valencia Soccer Academy and Wardlaw+Hartridge Athletics

If you drive to our back parking lot and look past the large “Wardlaw+Hartridge Rams” banner on the fence, you will find our two turf soccer fields. Since 2013, it is where the Rams practice and play varsity and middle school soccer games. For many of our current W+H students and several alumni, playing soccer on those turf fields is the first memory they have of being on our campus.

Many organizations rent our fields and gyms, but few have been as impactful as our longstanding relationship with Valencia Soccer Academy. Recognized as one of New Jersey’s best youth soccer programs, VSA and Wardlaw+Hartridge have cultivated a partnership built on shared values and mutual respect.

Jason Montesinos, owner and director of VSA, became our boys’ varsity soccer head coach in 2018. Back then, Jason was “just a renter.” When the position became available, he interviewed and outlined how a VSA and W+H partnership could be an effective venture that could greatly benefit both parties.

Since starting Valencia back in 2016, Coach Montesinos has become a celebrated developer of soccer talent. His methodology is focused on individual skill development and how to blend a player’s unique skillset into seamless team play. Over the past five years, Valencia has enjoyed great success and is now recognized as the gold standard for developing soccer players and winning teams under the age of 13 in New Jersey.

Nina Pangan-Montesinos '13, a former Rams varsity soccer captain, is VSA's Girls’ Coaching Director. Her journey from W+H student-athlete to one of New Jersey’s most successful youth soccer coaches is inspiring. Her leadership at VSA exemplifies the full-circle nature of our partnership and provides current students with an inspiring model of where their W+H experience can take them.

The Valencia soccer philosophy is a perfect fit for families that value a holistic approach to education and athletics. It did not take long for VSA families to start seeing Wardlaw+Hartridge as a place that perfectly aligns with the reasons they chose to have their children play for Valencia. Our communities have blended naturally, with many VSA players eventually finding their academic and athletic home at Wardlaw+Hartridge. Some of our most accomplished student-athletes have developed their skills through this partnership that works both ways. Over the years, several W+H families discovered VSA through its presence on campus and found a soccer home that aligns with their values.

Adam Eisdorfer ’25 is Wardlaw+Hartridge’s current Student Council president. Adam was one of those VSA kids playing on our turf as a youngster. “I started out my athletic and soccer journey at VSA when I was really young, and it’s where I first learned soccer and fell in love with it,” Adam said. “I’m forever grateful for my years at VSA, as it set the foundation for my athletic career and taught me the determination and work ethic I carried with me ever since.”

Coach Jason Montesinos said, “Valencia is proud to have a long standing relationship with The Wardlaw+Hartridge School. We have a common goal of inspiring students to become the best versions of themselves. VSA and W+H have a fantastic opportunity to work with one another to provide aspiring student athletes with a well-rounded developmental experience. With an excellent blend of education and athletic maturation, Valencia and Wardlaw+Hartridge provide a truly unique pathway to prepare young minds for future success. We look forward to providing more student athletes with this special experience.”

To Jason, Nina, and the entire Valencia Soccer family – thank you for your continued partnership. Together, we're helping young athletes discover their potential, develop their talents and become the kind of leaders who will make a positive difference in whatever communities they join after leaving our campus.