The Bridgewater-Raritan High School boys’ soccer team has posted a 6-6-1 record.
With a tough outing against Franklin High School on October 9, the team’s next game is against Montgomery High School in a quarterfinal match-up of the Somerset County Tournament.
Cutthroat until the end, the young men of Bridgewater-Raritan showed prominent perseverance and determination. The boys had a tough game against Hunterdon Central Regional High School on September 27, yet the squad remained poised, composed, and fierce, resulting in only a narrow 1-0 loss.
Defensive players Matteo Ucciferri, Liam Rivera and Ariel Dejesus put up quite the performance, blocking dozens of goal opportunities granted to the opposing team. Rivera used a skillful aggressive playing technique that required attention to the offense’s footwork and pure strength.
Unfortunately, the last quarter abruptly ended his game; Rivera obtained a yellow card after a foul and was called off the field.
Afterward, Rivera reflected on the result of the game and the overall team’s performance.
“We are playing great, we just need results. If we keep working how we’re working, they will come,” he said.
While the game was mostly played on the defensive front, offense was none other than superb. Dylan Calderon grazed the goal on a buzzer, keeping the audience on their toes.
Additionally, a spotlight on forward Conor Rosander is well overdue. He swiftly got to through balls sent by midfielders and glided past Hunterdon Central’s defenders with ease. His speed and touch on the ball are phenomenal and the hours of practice are noticeable in this young baller’s play.
Senior captains Kyle Carvalho, Michael Battista, and Dejesus led the team into the game with confidence and optimism while simultaneously playing their hearts out. Dejesus walked off the pitch with a smile.
The singular goal Hunterdon Central scored was a goal off a header that ricocheted from a corner kick, nearly impossible to prevent by the goalie Battista.
The bulk of the game was played on the Panthers’ half, inducing optimal stress upon the goalie, which he handled stunningly. He saved an admirable eight shots while playing the entire 90-minute game, an impressive feat.
