Varsity Boys Soccer Counties Recap

Everest Saric

Soccer season has started at Cliffside Park High School! The boys varsity team has been performing well this season. On Sunday, October 8th, the boys won the county quarter finals against Rutherford. Many alumni and families came to support the Red Raiders— the turnout was amazing! The game was extremely intense— going into double overtime, staying scoreless, and eventually went to penalties. The game ended with a 6-5 win after seven rounds of penalties. Before the game, senior goalkeeper John Catalan told Captain Skyler Saric, “If this game goes into penalties, I got you. We will win.” The team trusted Catalan to block every shot throughout the game.

During penalties, Catalan blocked two out of seven penalties Rutherford had. Due to his outstanding performance, he has been nominated for North Jersey’s Player of the Week title. Henry Valles (sophomore) and Kelvin Quevedo (senior) both scored two penalties. Eljker Basha (senior) and Edwin Calderon (senior) both scored one. Six rounds of penalties was not enough to decide the quarter final match. Coach Cambareri asked the team who wanted to step up next and Valles raised his hand. After the game, he was interviewed by NorthJersey writer Sean Farrell. Valles told him “I was really confident, I really wanted to shoot it.” Valles also gave Assistant Coach Scarzafava a big hug and said “This is gonna be the year, we’re going all the way.”

The last time CP boys won counties was in 2013. It has been years since they had a shot at a County Championship. The team seems confident that this year they will be able to pull it off. Senior Justin Rua, who has been on varsity since freshman year, played well. He plans to continue to play in spite of his pulled hamstring. When asked why he continues to play with an injury, he answered, “I have to be strong for my teammates and finish the game for them. Plus, it’s my senior year. I have to be out there getting

all the minutes I can.” His determination and passion is very admirable and is appreciated by his teammates. Rua is truly showing what it means to be a captain and a Red Raider. The team has also been performing well in leagues with a record of nine wins, one loss, and two ties. Their season is far from being over, as they will be starting state sectionals in two weeks. On behalf of the Cliffside Park Courier, we wish them the best of luck with the rest of their season.