Soccer programs are built and shaped different ways. That's why one should never take for granted how difficult it is to become a consistent winner, especially for Group 1-size schools working with fewer potential players.

Even on the Group 1 level, the programs vary in size and talent, and that was demonstrated yesterday when the Lindenwold boys' soccer team scored a 5-0 win over host Gloucester in a nonleague game.

Lindenwold is 6-8 and has lost some close games. Even some talented Group 1 teams such as Pitman and Palmyra should not be overjoyed about having to face the Lions in the state tournament. Gloucester, meanwhile, has won just one game.

Lindenwold was in a similar situation not long ago, and not just because both teams are called the Lions.

Lindenwold went 1-18 in fifth-year coach Jason Snyder's first season. The program has made steady progress since.

"I can relate to what Gloucester is going through," Snyder said. "Even in that situation you have to have fun and just keep working hard."

While Lindenwold hasn't turned the corner, the Lions can be competitive with just about any Group 1 school.

The team has a fascinating mix of players from five foreign countries, as well as the United States. One of the leaders is junior forward Jaime Bonilla, who came to the United States four years ago from Honduras.

Bonilla scored the first three goals yesterday, giving him nine this year, and then Snyder moved him to sweeper, and he looked just as at home on defense.

Even though he appears to be a shade below 5 feet tall, Bonilla has the skill to play for any team in South Jersey. He has done a wonderful job both playing and adapting to the culture while learning English.

"I like it here," he said. "It's a lot of fun playing on this team."

Two other highly skilled players are senior Michael Agbai, who was born in Ghana, and junior Orlando Askie, who is from Liberia.

"It's really a good mix on this team and a great group of youngsters," Snyder said.

What yesterday showed was that even a team that has struggled for goals and wins, such as Gloucester, has its share of positives.

The first is coach Vince Madiraca, a former standout at Paul VI, who inherited the job in the summer. Since then he has been trying to sell his program to the players and is encouraged that a Sunday youth program in town has attracted 200 youngsters.

The key is to get some of those players to eventually play for the high school.

There are just 20 in the program, which also is playing a limited junior varsity schedule.

One of the building blocks is sophomore forward Korey Jefferies, a player in perpetual motion while playing on the front line.

"I'd like to have 11 of him," Madiraca said.

Too many of the Gloucester players are learning the game on the high school level, and for such a technical sport such as soccer, that is way too late.

Despite the struggles, Madiraca is buoyed by hope that anything can happen in sports.

"I get on the bus every day and feel this may be our day," he said.

So far, there has only been one of those days, a win over Wildwood.

Still, Madiraca shows patience on the sidelines, rarely raising his voice and hoping his team can take eventually take that next step to the same place that Lindenwold resides today.

Lindenwold 2 3 - 5

Gloucester 0 0 - 0

Goals: L-Jaime Bonilla 3, Mike Agbai, Jesus Bonilla. Saves: L-Jose Sotela 1, Mike Agbai 1, Davon Roberts 3; G-Mike Baehr 2, Tom Moore 14.

Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.