Ramapo Soccer Win High on Drama

Sports—like life—offer very few second chances.

Ramapo forward Chris Nash got one Sunday night.

Nash scored from close range to lift Ramapo to a 3-2 double overtime win over Northern Highlands to cap a three-goal comeback, and set off a raucous mid-field celebration that seemed like it was shared by the entire student body.

It probably seems just like yesterday to the sophomore that his would-be winning goal in the Bergen County championship game—also against Ramapo’s arch-rival—last year was disallowed.

This time, Nash used his nose for the net to sniff out a rebound of a long throw-in, and incite a flood of his classmates pouring down on the field from the bleachers just 48 seconds into the second overtime to revel in a moment destined to live forever in each of the Raiders’ personal highlight reels.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Nash. “It’s the greatest feeling I’ve ever had. We were down when it was 2-0, but Brandon [Alvarado] lifted us out of it and got us believing we could come back. This is revenge for last year’s county final, and this is for Mr. McKiernan [long-time Ramapo super fan who passed away last winter]. We wanted it bad and we worked so hard for it. I’ll truly never forget this.”

Despite dominating the first 20 minutes, Ramapo managed few scoring chances and fell behind on the first of two goals by Highlands’ Robbie Mamary with just over 15 minutes left in the half. When Mamary struck again off a header with 11:30 left in the game, Ramapo (3-0) sagged momentarily, but didn’t wilt.

Nick Guaglardi got the Raiders back in the game with 10:14 left. Less than two minutes later, Mike Taranto drove home a 30-yarder to draw Ramapo even at 2-2. Suddenly, it was anyone’s game, and Ramapo’s never-say-die spirit prevailed.

“I never thought we were going to win this game,” said Evan Baumgarten, who joked afterwards that the game was “a brawl with some occasional soccer breaking out.”

Added Baumgarten: “Our styles clash, and I give Highlands credit for making it so hard for us to possess the ball. They like to get in and drill the ball down the field. We told the kids before the game that we’ll probably face this team four times this year, and this is just one stop, but it means so much to have kept at it the way we did and to come out on top.”

Highlands had won three straight entering the contest, and coach Sean Devore didn't see the outcome as a total loss.

“They’re arguably the best team in Bergen County, and we were in a good position to beat them,” said Devore. “I’m not one to comment on the officiating, but it did seem like all the calls went their way. It’s a tough loss, but we’ll take a lot of positives out of it.”

It’s early enough in the school year that the big exams haven’t come yet. The Ramapo boys aced their first, which should have them thinking about attaining high honors this year.

“It was a great environment,” said Baumgarten, who estimated a crowd of 1,500 rabid fans. “Moments like these are what high school sports are all about.”