Ramapo vs. Freehold Boro @ Soccer Group Finals
TCNJ Lion’s field Ewing, NJ – November 17th Written by Louis Rossi for NJSI.net, Photos by Alan Maglaque
CLICK HERE to view all the pictures from the game and read on…
As the sun drifted over the horizon and the temperature began to plummet, the ladies of Freehold Borough and Ramapo High schools took the field to face each other once more for the championship. To use the word ‘epic’ to describe the story that would unfold would be an understatement. This year, neither team wanted to share the trophy with the other again, both wanted to carry the trophy home for themselves.
Both teams looked strong in the first half, keeping each other in seamless check through the transitions from offence to defense. However it was Ramapo attempting to set the pace early – dominating the control of the ball and never making their defense work for more than a few moments at a time. Freehold had the answers to Ramapo’s challenges though, keeping them to only two shots on goal.
With the first half scoreless; both teams mustered with their coaches in their respective sides of the field attempting to analyze their performances.
Amongst the chattering and shivering from the nearly-freezing temperature and stinging wind, you could hear cries of encouragement and enthusiasm from all directions – from the stands, and even the players psyching themselves up for the second half.
Coming out strong; Ramapo would make the first move in what would be a dramatic second half. Both teams would maintain excellent discipline and control, almost pushing each other to outdo the previous attempt. It was clear that two very eager, hungry, and evenly matched teams were nearly at war with each other.
With 29:24 remaining in regulation #4 (Senior) Allison Maresca would find herself in the midst of traffic after a corner kick, sneaking a shot past the goalie and scoring Ramapo’s only goal of the game.
Freehold would use Ramapo’s goal as foundation for a comeback. Less than 3 minutes later – however Ramapo’s goalie, (Junior) Caroline Shiel, would make a picture-perfect diving one-handed save to sustain her team’s lead.
#22 (Junior) Shannon Mayrose would score a twenty yard kick over the crowd guarding Ramapo’s net with 16:54 to play,
giving her teammates the momentum that would guide them through the remainder of the half.
What proceeded would be an all out effort by both teams to end the game before they were forced into overtime with each other once more. But the efforts were to no avail; for the second year in a row the trophy game between Ramapo and Freehold Boro would head into Sudden-Victory Overtime.
Two ten-minute victory sessions were set in motion. The first of which was a near carbon-copy of the second half. Both teams played their hearts out and kept each other on their toes. When the timer sounded at the end of the first overtime session, you could see the expression on the ladies’ faces: frustration, determination, and contemplation.
The second overtime session started in a brilliant fashion, with both goalies making key efforts to stop an assault in its tracks.
It would be another rainbow-like kick from #22 (Junior) Shannon Mayrose that would seal the victory for Freehold with 4:16 left to play.
The shot, the anticipation on her face, and what felt like slow motion as the ball glided through the air and over her teammates and opponents alike were moments straight out of an ESPN highlight reel. Her two goals, seemingly out of nowhere – both from over 20 yards out – had given her hard working team the marks they needed to walk away champions.
“We wanted it so bad, they were heartbroken after [Ramapo’s] first goal,” said coach Freehold Boro coach Elyse Bizzozzaro, “but we bounced back. These girls are one-of-a-kind; they all play with such intensity and heart.”
“I couldn’t believe it when I saw the ball go into the netting,” shouted Shannon Mayrose after scoring the game winning goal while holding the trophy high, “it was like slow motion, a dream. We’ve worked so hard for this.”
