Athletics

Soccer has brought our team together athletically and mentally through the bonds we all created. After losing 15 key senior players to graduation last year and an experienced coach, no one had high expectations for us this season. Following three consecutive preseason losses and an initial 1-2 record, people continued to doubt our abilities; however, none of us lost motivation for this season. We truly realized our potential after taking Don Bosco to penalties in the Bergen County quarterfinals and from there it was a roller coaster. Through many ups and downs, our new, young coach, Cesar Blacido, kept hope and our heads high. It was not until the State Tournament when everything clicked... players came back from injuries and we became the team we knew we could be all season. We finally played to our full potential, totalling 12 goals for and just 1 goal against the entire tournament. We also defeated our last year’s rival, Glen Rock.

All of the new players fit right into the team as we progressed throughout the season. Everyone on the team will continue to use the relationships and lessons we have had this year for the rest of their lives. One of these being taught from Mr. Pritchard (a former soccer coach associated with Ramsey Soccer who gives motivational advice), no matter how bad or good something is, it just is, stay determined and keep going. As we are all students at Ramsey High School, we continued to apply the “Profile of a Ramsey Graduate” characteristics not just in the classroom, but on the field. We consistently communicated and collaborated day in and day out as we built the chemistry of the team during practices and games. Also, everybody on the team had a responsibility, on and off the field, we were all responsible for the well-being of ourselves, each other, and the team. Finally, Cesar had taught us to constantly reflect on, not just how you did, but also how to apply this in order to improve.

This season was so much more than just soccer. Although none of the seven seniors on the team will continue soccer into college, the sport will continue to leave lessons, relationships and memories that they will never forget. They have all dedicated their entire lives to playing soccer and they will take everything they've experienced through the sport into their futures. The 1-0 loss to Jefferson in the Sectional Finals was the end of an era for the seniors but a start of a promising new one. We cannot thank them enough for their dedication, commitment, heart and passion they put into this program. The rest of us and Coach Blacido are ready to move onto next season but none of us will ever forget the memories we created.

By: Tanner Kleinberg