Calvin Ryan propels No. 5 Mendham to Group 3 title

By Richard Greco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

on November 19, 2017 3:14 PM, updated November 19, 2017 9:56 PM

11/19 - 12:30 PM Boys Soccer

Mendham   2

Mainland   1

 Complete Box Score » 

At the beginning of the season, Mendham coach Russ Raffay passed around his 2015 Group 3 championship.

It was the only title Mendham's soccer program has ever won and Raffay knew that that this year's team had the potential to bring the school another.

That journey was complete on Sunday when Mendham, No. 5 in the NJ.com Top 20, rode two goals from Calvin Ryan to a 2-1 win over No. 17 Mainland in the Group 3 final at Kean University.

"Passing that ring around motivated these kids a lot," Raffay said, his state championship ring from two years ago glistening in the sun. "They know what it's about. The ring is a motivator, but the memories are worth way more than the ring. They had a goal and there was no doubt in their minds that we would be here."

Ryan's first tally was a gritty, hard-working goal in the 23rd minute. He picked up the ball outside of the box, out-worked two defenders and beat Mainland keeper Matt Stellitano, who made six saves, to open the scoring.

His second goal, the eventual game-winner, came five minutes into the second half when the ball fell onto his feet and he put in an uncontested, right-footed shot to give Mendham a 2-0 lead. He finished the season as Mendham's leading scorer with 18 goals.

"We knew that Calvin would step up," Raffay said. "We knew that he was going to be the guy that would have the ball on his feet. That's why we played him up high."

Mainland cut the lead in half with 11:54 left when Dan Adams headed in a rebound following a free kick from Keegan Ford that rattled off the crossbar. 

Mendham's backline buckled down following that goal.

Its defensive corps of Liam Wintz, James Worth, Jake Nugent and Matt Sullivan did a good job keep dangerous striker Jack Sarkos at bay. The junior forward leads Mainland with 26 goals, but was held without a shot on goal in the Group 3 final.

"We did a good job passing (Sarkos) on to our other defenders," Worth said. "We communicated a lot in the back. We did a good job shutting him down...That final buzzer couldn't come quick enough. We we were just staring at the buzzer waiting for it to go off."

Ryan's older brother Stephen Ryan, a senior, and senior goalkeeper Ryan Carkhuffwere the only players on the 2015 state championship team that defeated Toms River South 4-0. Carkhuff made six saves in Sunday's win.

"I really wanted to win this for the seniors and my brother," Ryan said. "That was on the back of my mind all game. I wanted to do this for them. It feels good because now I get to join Stephen up there."

Mendham finished the year with a 20-3 record. All three of its losses came at the hands of No. 1 Delbarton. Mainland went 19-3-3 this season.