Young Raiders Storm Out of Gate

So much for the theory that youth is wasted on the young.

With only two seniors in the starting lineup, Ramapo is a team with time on its side. Yet if Saturday’s season opening win—a 4-1 whitewashing of Fair Lawn—is any indication, the Raiders look--and sound-- like a focused group ready to seize the day.

Ramapo is also returning eight starters from last year’s 19-2 team, which reached the county finals and the sectional championship. The Raiders have won or shared the last 11 league championships, and seem to have picked up right where they left off.

If 80 minutes of out-and-out domination wasn’t convincing enough, consider the poise and focus of co-captains Brandon Alvarado and Matt Deziel.

“We happy, but not satisfied,” said Alvarado, an All-County midfielder. “It was our first game and we came out jumpy, but the more we play, the more we’ll improve. We’ll keep track of what we did well, and what we didn’t. We’ll keep doing what we’ve done well, and work on what we haven’t.”

Although Ramapo poured it on from the start, outshooting Fair Lawn 15-2 in the first half, goalkeeper Tyler Ashe single-handedly kept his team in the game. The Cutters were no match for Ramapo after the Raiders settled down at halftime.

“Once we calmed down and slowed the pace tonight we moved the ball really well,” said Deziel, sounding like another cagey veteran. “Tonight was a good start, but not nearly what we’re capable of.”

After numerous quality chances—mostly by sniper Mike Taranto—sophomore Chris Nash put the Raiders up 26 minutes into the half.

According to 26-year head coach Evan Baumgarten, it was just a matter of time before the damn broke.

“In a situation like that, we tell the kids to just keep at it and that we’ll wear them down,” he said. “Eventually, they’ll stop chasing us, and that’s what happened. We were anxious at first, but that means the kids care. They care for each other and they all want to come out and play their best for their teammates.”

Less than four minutes into the second half, junior Mike Taranto, an All-County forward with 18 goals last year, struck from close range. Five minutes later, Ian Foryessy broke it open with a header, and Taranto extended the lead to 4-0 when he collected his second goal almost midway through the second half on a classy chip shot.

That they were coasting to a victory in their opening game gave Baumgarten the chance to use most of his players, and further the notion of one for all and all for one.

“We’re a family more than we’re a soccer team,” added Alvarado. “Everyone has an important role on this team—even the guys who might only play five or 10 minutes each game. What matters is that everyone plays with a lot of heart and passion—not how old anyone is.”

Fair Lawn got on the board with just under four minutes to play on a Josh Sarna goal that came against back-up keeper Matt Grassi, who entered the game earlier to replace Will Shiel.

Their offense is certainly high-powered, the defense unquestionably strong, and it sounds like team chemistry is just another strength.

“We may be a young team, but we’re all very close friends off the field, and that’s something we take with us onto the field” added Deziel.