The 2024 OP soccer season has come to an end following a loss against Bergen Catholic in the first round of the North Non Public A state tournament. If the Rams were to win they would’ve played nationally ranked St Benedicts Prep in Newark, as it is the first time the Grey Bees are in the NJSIAA since 1991. Although it would’ve been a very tough game, the Rams still looked to get their opportunity but it all just fell short. After a Derek Zapata red card (no, Derek it is not your fault the ref just did it out of spite) the Rams looked to gain a goal with only 15 minutes left and only 10 men. Bergen Catholic proceeded to put the game away in the 77th minute with a through ball goal to put them ahead 3-1 and knock off OP.
Overall the season was a great season for Coach Barresi who is in his 11th year as head coach. The Rams would finish 11-10, finishing over .500 for the first time since 2021 when they went 10-4 and won the UCC Mountain Division. The Rams started this season on a very slow pace. They would drop the first game against NO.8 in the state by NJ.com Westfield 5-1 and then win against Roselle 5 days later 4-2. After that the Rams would lose 5 games in a row. Four of these opponents were conference opponents as their loss to Johnson was a heartbreaking 2-0 loss as well as an Enzo Sarango injury after that. Injuries would be the key component in stalling their season as starting junior striker Henry Griffiths would be sidelined for 3 weeks, Brody Henderson being out for 2 games, and Charlie Spiegle spraining his ankle. Everyone on the squad after this losing streak was banged up or carrying some sort of bruise each game and practice. No matter how hard the season got resiliency was key to being successful. The Rams would proceed to beat Union Catholic to snap their losing streak before playing NO.5 in the state Scotch Plains Fanwood to a 2-0 loss. After the Rams started to receive some of their players back from injury, it showed some optimism as it was in some very small steps. The Rams at this point of the season had a 2-8 record, but that was fixed with a win against Governor Livingston and Roselle Park. Although they are a lower division opponent, Roselle Park was still seeded above the Rams. The Rams would receive the 13th seed in the county tournament and every coach thought at the meeting they were being overlooked. Well I know that these coaches were in fact correct, as the Rams knocked off #5 and #4 seeds New Providence and Summit, whom they lost to prior. These wins help the boys emplace their mark on a little bit of Oratory Prep Athletics history by being the first team in school history to advance to the UCC Semi-Finals. The Rams would lose to SPF again 2-0 in a very hard fought game, but were not done winning yet. Before the state tournament loss to Bergen Catholic, the Rams went on a 5 game heater beating Planfield(7-0), Linden (1-0), Woodbridge(4-3), Columbia (3-2), and Princeton Day (6-1). The win against Woodbridge was a late comeback to win the game set up by non other then senior Jack Olohan, scoring both the tying and winning goal. I know that you Rowdies are very upset that OP Footy season is over, but there are several feats to look at.
Max Cook scored 19 goals this season, placing himself as one of the most dominant scorers in the UCC. The Rams beat Summit as they earned back their rightful crown as the “Kings of Summit.” A question to ponder on is “What does the future of OP soccer look like?” Well I know it is just a positive direction that is for sure. I know for a fact Caylor Mendez and Sol Wright will keep my net squeaky clean next year, as well as the deadly duo of defensive backs named Pastore and Zapata will be rock solid. My freshmen Ryan Mount, Sam Catalano, and Alex Pando will be the next generation of best Oratory soccer players ever. These kids got skills and I know they are going to show out. Henry Griffiths will get the scoring title next year with Eric Devomecourt having the assist title with his outrageous throw ins. Its gonna be hard keeping Anthony Costa and Jack Ebert out of the net as well, setting up a powerful offense along the sides. These boys are going to kill it and the future is bright.
