Ramapo Soccer Hungry for More Championships

You'd think after all these years Evan Baumgarten would have a clue.

Yet even after 25 ultra-successful years at the helm of the Ramapo boys varsity soccer program, the coach claims his crystal ball is cloudy.

"Even after all these years, I still can't get a handle on just how well we're going to do from year to year," said Baumgarten just days before Saturday morning's season opener at Fair Lawn. "What I can tell you is that I have a great group of kids who have worked very hard to meld together as a team."

That's happened before at Ramapo, where the Raiders have come together to win the last 10 consecutive league titles. Last year, Ramapo went 11-5-1, but were disappointed to bow out of the county tournament in the second round, and the state tourney in the first round on penalty kicks. League titles aside, maybe that's why it felt so good for the team to get back on the field this August.

"Last year wasn't a good year," said Baumgarten. "The strength of our team this year is our ability to play together as a team."

Of course, the pressure to play up to the Ramapo soccer legend doesn't hurt either.

"Everyone knows we have a very high standard to live up to, and that makes the incoming freshmen try that much harder," said midfielder Brandon Alvarez, a third-team all-county selection last year. "When everyone has something to prove, we all wind up playing our hearts out."

Lining up to do so this season are 10 seniors, with a nice mix of underclassmen.

"The range of ages is a very big part of the chemistry of this year's team," Alvarez said.

Returning starters for the Raiders are: seniors Mike DeVito, Aresh Mahtabfas, Tom Garrambone, junior Brandon Alvarez, and sophomores Mike Toronto, a second-team all-county choice, Sean Ethridge and Vince Brunetti. Making the jump to the varsity are: Matt Deziel, Ian Brady, Joe Doughan and freshmen Chris Nash and Ian Fayorsey Rounding out the lineup are: Mike Sotsky, Drew Mani, Justin Scheinert, Chris Manobianco, Ryan Perry and Pat Young.

If there truly are strength in numbers, Ramapo may just have to keep ordering new championship banners for its gym.

"We have 75 kids playing on our three teams," said Baumgarten. "All we've tried to do over the years is create a fun and competitive environment, and it's amazing how word spreads."

And who wouldn't want to be part of one of Bergen County's most well-oiled soccer powerhouses? Apparently, Ramapo's recipe for success isn't all that complicated.

"We're confident we'll be right there again this year," said Alvarez. "We can really move the ball. We just have to remember to play with our heads and to manage our emotions—not to get too high or too low. But more than that, we're just going to outwork every team we face."