Randolph Boys Soccer’s triumphant journey to the NJSIAA Group 3 state final ended with a heartbreaking 2-0 loss to Shawnee on Sunday, Nov. 24.
In the opening minutes of the first half, the Rams made it clear that they had come to play and win. They held possessions and made crisp passes through the midfield.
The midfielders controlled the pace, finding the gaps and creating opportunities that tested Shawnee’s back line.
Despite Randolph’s best efforts, Shawnee was still able to slip one past the Rams defense, which caught Randolph off guard and allowed Shawnee to get a goal.
Shawnee’s second goal came just before halftime, as a kick outside the box went over the Rams goalie and into the net, ending the half 2-0.
In the second half, Randolph was not giving up, instead showing excellent resilience. The Rams tightened their defense, battled for every loose ball and pushed forward in search of a breakthrough.
Junior goalie Gavin Vichengrad made crucial saves to keep the team in the game. Even though Randolph was down by two goals, he dove between posts, denying Shawnee’s attackers any more goals past the net.
Senior Justin Quinones and sophomores Andrei Nitulescu and Felipe Pesa tried to create chances for Randolph, but Shawnee’s goalkeeper stood firm.
Despite being down by two, the Rams showed amazing effort and determination until the final whistle.
“Although the result did not go our way, we still had self-belief,” Vichengrad said after the game.
Although Randolph didn’t win the championship, it was still a season for the record books, with the Rams going further in states than they had since 1996, 28 years ago, which was the last time the team made it to the NJSIAA tournament final.
The Rams may have fallen short in the group final, but their journey to that point was extraordinary. The team capped off a stellar season with a state sectional championship win against Ramapo, showcasing the Randolph players’ skill and teamwork. This is what fans will remember most, and not the final score.
“It was the perfect team, if I could ever ask for one,” senior co-captain Jayden DeCarvalho said. “I’m glad that we were able to bring something to Randolph and hoping that we leave a legacy.”
The Rams’ legacy will be defined by the remarkable run they made to the top, which left a permanent mark on the program. The 2024 Boys Soccer team will forever be remembered by all its current fans and players as well as those to come.
