Boys Soccer Loses to Ramapo in State Semifinals

After an outstanding season, Raiders Boys Soccer lost to Ramapo in a narrow 1-0 defeat in the Boys Varsity NJSIAA Group State Semi Final played heroically at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge. With eighteen minutes left in the game, Ramapo scored their first goal and although the Raiders fought ferociously for the remainder of the game, they were not able to secure a win.

Scotch Plains Fanwood High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Ryan Miller sat down with Patch to share his reflections on last night’s defeat and incredible season.

“It was a hard fought game and we were strong throughout. Although we had three or four missed opportunities to score, it was one of those games where we outplayed the other team, but they ultimately dominated the score board,” Miller stated.

Controversy arose during the game when one of Ramapo’s starting players, lead scorer Mike Taranto was injured early on, calling for a substitution. Despite being injured and on the bench, Ramapo put Taranto back in the game to perform a throw in that didn’t score, but set up the winning corner kick.

“Ramapo didn’t follow the rules of substitution and the officials let it go,” Miller expressed. “Our juniors and sophomores get to try again next year, but unfortunately for our seniors this is the end of the road.”

Miller went on to highlight standout players in last night’s game including, goalie Vinnie Bianco, a defensive line that “is as tough as they come”  lead by Mike Daly Dan McMillan, and middle field players Colin Stripling and Billy Babis.

Miller stated that in the six years he has served as an Athletic Director in New Jersey, he has never seen a better soccer team.

“This team has height, size, and a remarkable bond. This is a team that always cared about the team before themselves… this is a really great group of young men,” Miller stated, then providing an example of this spirit of team unity.

“We had a senior [Seth Schlisserman] who was expecting to be a starting goalie this season, but ultimately we went with Vinnie. Seth always maintained the highest amount of energy on the bench and was committed to the team regardless of whether he was playing or not… these men had an unselfish commitment to each other through it all,” Miller stated.

Coach Tom “Brez” Breznitsky is truly the guiding force for this team. Coach Brez, who recently became the fourth coach in New Jersey to reach 600 wins, has garnered wide acclaim for his coaching including Coach of the Year from the Soccer Coaches Association, a NJSIA sports award for soccer, an induction into the Coaching Hall of Fame, and most recently, a nomination for National Coach of the Year.

“Coach Brez has an unparalleled compassion for what his players need as athletes and as students. He has built a program, a legacy, tradition that is instilled in all who participate. So many students return after graduation to support the soccer team, naming Coach Brez their ‘coach for life,’” Miller said.

One of the truly wonderful aspects of this season was the presence of Raider Nation, a student lead movement that inspired students and members of the community to come out and support the Raiders.  According to the group’s Facebook page, Raider Nation went as far to secure a bus to transport fans to last night’s away game.

“There must have been at least 70 fans there. This was a tough loss. It’s easy to celebrate when you win but to have kids stay after the game to congratulate the team and show their support is pretty amazing. That was the most touching and heart felt moment of the day,” Miller said.