By W. L. Bill Allen, Jr.

Director, NJ Sport/Action

CLIFFSIDE PARK–  Following a season in which the boys booters battalion from Cliffside Park High went a near-perfect 24-1 overall, while winning league, state section and state group championships and reaching the county’s final four, a dozen members of the Red Raiders contingent have reaped some level of post-season plaudits.

Exau Paz, Pedro Sanchez and Michael Lopez, Sebastian Zapata, Santiago Pazmino, Joe Han, Julian Ruales, Mike Scarzafava, Sebastian Castrillon were all voted to the All-North Jersey Interscholastic Conference/Big North League-American Division First Team by that conference’s coaches conclave, while Omar Ventura and Juan Pinilla were selected to the All-Big North/American second string and Carmine Panuccio was named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention list.

In addition, Paz, Sanchez and Lopez were elected to the All-Bergen First Team by the county’s coaches cabinet, with Zapata made the All-County Second Team and Pazmino landed Third Team All-Bergen honors.

A senior striker, Paz is a four-year starter and now a three-time First Team All-Bergen County selection. During the Raiders 25 2010 tilts, Paz recorded 34 goals and a half-dozen assists and is now the school’s all-time scoring leader with 94 career goals, breaking the mark of 83 set in 1982.

Sanchez, a senior netminder and now a two-time First Team All-County pick, recorded 19 shutouts in the team’s two dozen wins and is also a All-Time CPHS record-holder with a total of 39 blankings on his stats sheet.

Lopez, a senior central midfielder, scored a baker’s dozen goals, to go along with a half-dozen helps, with Zapata, a senior stopper, registering an octet of goals and five assists and Pazmino, a senior striker scoring 11 goals and a score of assists.

Han, a senior right midfielder, had one goal and five assists on his stats sheet, while Ruales, a junior left fullback, assisted on five goals this season, Scarzafava, a senior sweeper, had two assists, Castrillon, a senior central middie and a four-year starter, had five scores and 16 helps to his credit, Ventura, a junior left midfielder, registered four scores and a trio of aids, Pinilla, a junior right fullback, made five assists and Panuccio, a senior midfielder, came off the bench to record a trio of tallies and two assists.

In their 10 NJIC/Big North-American tilts, the Red Raiders gave up a pair of goals, as CPHS foiled Fort Lee, 6-0 and 2-0, dumped Dumont, 8-0 and 7-0, embered Englewood, 2-0 and 7-0, waylaid Westwood, 4-1 and 2-0, and rousted Ridgefield Park, 6-1 and 7-0.

Seeded second in the Bergen County Tournament field, after enjoying a first round bye, the Raiders dumped Demarest, the 15th seed, 2-1, in the round of 16 and rattled Ramsey, the seventh seed, 2-0, in a county quarters clash, prior to suffering their sole stinging setback of the season, 1-2, to Northern Highlands, the third seed, in a BCT semifinals round showdown.

Finally, in the state playoffs, the CPHS boys booters battalion earned sole possession of the State Group 2 championship in the team’s third straight trip to the title tussle.

After tying Delran, 1-1, in the 2008 state title tilt and then losing to those same Bears, 0-2, last time around, the Red Raiders humbled South Jersey champ Haddon Heights, 1-0, in the NJSIAA State Group 2 title tilt on Sunday evening, Nov. 21, at the College of New Jersey in Ewing. That result ended Haddon Height’s season at 19-3-2.

The game’s sole goal was recorded by Paz, who scored on a late first half header. Paz had also scored the Raiders’ only goal with 1:14 left in regulation in the 2008 Group 2 crown clash, but Delran tallied nine seconds later to forge a co-championship.

In this year’s final, though, netminder Sanchez made a sextet of saves to preserve to Raiders’ 1-0 victory.

“It’s great to finally have one all to ourselves,” enthused Paz of the state title.

The top seed in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 state playoffs bracket, Cliffside Park had begun its march towards a title by pummeling Parsippany, the 16th seed, 3-0, in the first round on Nov. 1, prior to nuking Newark Tech, the eighth seed, 3-0, in a quarterfinal round clash on Nov. 3, after Tech had flattened Fort Lee, the ninth seed, 3-0, in the first round.

Next, in a section semifinals skirmish on Nov. 8, the Raiders walloped West Essex, the fourth seed, 6-0, before securing sectional supremacy via a 3-1 beating of Bernards, the second seed, on Nov. 11.

Finally, in the State Group 2 semifinals, Cliffside Park got by 17-4-2 Glen Rock, the North Jersey Section 1 title-taker, 3-2, on Tuesday, Nov. 16, in Millburn.

A member of the CPHS Class of 1992, Raiders head coach Jim Fucci has guided his charges to five league titles, four BCT final four appearances, one trip to the county’s title tilt (a 1-3 loss to Don Bosco Prep in 2007), a quartet of section supremacies and two State Group 2 championships in his 11 campaigns at the club’s controls.

“I really can’t take a lot of the credit for the program’s success, I really just feel that I’m in the right place at the right time,” emphasized Fucci, who excelled in both soccer and baseball at Cliffside, prior to playing hardball for four years at Mars Hill College in North Carolina.

“We work very hard during both the season and in the off-season and we emphasize academics, character and discipline with our kids and we really feel that philosophy is paying off,” Fucci expounded, adding, “While winning is important, it’s even more important that to us that our kids become good people, nut just good players and that they go to college.

“From our point of view as coaches, whether our kids go on to play soccer or another sport in college is not nearly as important as just getting them to go to college so that they can continue their education and personal growth. That’s the most important part.”

By John Marin

The Fort Lee Soccer League Under 12 Boys ‘A’ travel team defeated previously undefeated and first place Ironbound 2-1 at home on Saturday, Nov. 6 in Northern Counties Soccer Association action (NCSA).

Fort Lee took the lead in the twenty-second minute when Chris Korkis gave a lead ball down the left wing to Peter Kim, whose low shot beat the oncoming Ironbound keeper. The Under 12’s took a 2-0 lead early in the second half, when Hassan Awad’s free kick found Kim in the penalty area and blasted his shot into the net. With 12 minutes remaining, Ironbound tallied to make it a 2-1 score. Fort Lee was on the defensive for the remainder of the match to get the hard earned wins. Jacob Kim and Sam Keller’s man-to-man defending helped thwart the opposing teams top forwards. After consecutive tough losses the previous weekend, Fort Lee evened their record to 4-4 in the NCSA Premier Division with this victory.

The Under 14 ‘A’ Boys travel team defeated the Waldwick Warriors 6-0.  Fort Lee scored three goals in the first 10 minutes of play as Paul Leale opened the scoring three minutes into the game on a quality pass from Zach Wielkocz.  Three minutes later Myungjin Bang sent one home off an assist from Richie Capone, who made a nice run from the defensive end. Leale scored his second of the day with a nice move through the defense.

The second half started the way the first half did with Leale completing the hat trick five minutes in on another pass from Wielkocz. In the 50th minute, Leale laid the ball off to a streaking Bang for his second goal of the game. Justin Picache finished off the scoring for Fort Lee. Once again, Danny Duarte, Elmar Ebrahim, Taiga Kikuchi, Dennis Paus and Henry Chen were stellar at midfield controlling the tempo. The defense was lead by Ryo Sugawara, Amil Prajapati, Arif Toremis, Capone and seven outstanding saves from Mike Payan.

The boys record is now 4 wins, 1 loss and 2 ties.

The Under 10 Boys ‘A’ travel team battled to a 3-3 tie against the Wyckoff Torpedoes. Trailing 2-0, Fort Lee’s William Kim crossed the ball to Erik Holzapfel for a goal to make it 2-1 at halftime. Kim knocked in the equalizer, but the Torpedoes regained the lead. Late in the contest, Devan Yee’s pass to Kim set him free for the tying goal to end the match at 3-3. Fort Lee’s defense was led by Arsham Saifnoorian, Taisei Hashi, Dylan Samson and Sanghoon Park. Goalie Troy Jersey came up with several key saves.

By Robyn Nadel

FORT LEE – Since the Northern Counties Soccer Association (NCSA) took the Columbus Day weekend off, several of the Fort Lee Soccer League’s travel teams participated in tournaments.

The Under 10 Boys travel team captured the annual Pemberton, N.J. Columbus Weekend Tournament by winning all three of their matches.

Fort Lee shutout the Bordentown Blitz 6-0 in the first match. In the fifth minute, Matthew Epstein made a cross to Ho Yong Lee and minutes later Myungsoo Bang found Erik Holzapfel to make it an early 2-0 lead. After Devan Yee’s back-to-back goals, one assisted by Sanghoon Park, William Kim struck after a nice pass from Daniel Melamud. For the final goal, Yu Yamamoto found Mathew Epstein. Goalie Troy Jersey had the shutout, behind a strong defensive line led by Arsham Saifnoorian and Taisei Hashi.

In their second, match Fort Lee edged the Rancocas Valley Blaze 2-0 on goals by Holzapfel and Kim. In their final match, the Under 10’s battled the Beachwood Pirates to a 1-1 draw. After Beachwood scored the opening goal, Park fed Epstein who slipped his shot past the keeper for a hard earned point to give Fort Lee the holiday tournament title.

The Under 12 Boys ‘A’ travel team competed in the Parsippany Pride Columbus Weekend tournament and finished with a 2-1 record, finishing in second place in their division in their bracket. Fort Lee lost their first match to eventual tournament winner East Brunswick 3-2, despite a 2-1-halftime lead on two Peter Kim goals. In the 2nd match, Fort Lee defeated North Hunterdon 5-2, led by 2 Kai Otomo goals and Hassan Awad’s 25- yard free kick. In their final match, Fort Lee defeated Wayne 4-1 as Keefe Ku and Chris Korkis tallied. Defender Nick Danciu assisted on two of the goals on the weekend with fine defensive play from Sam Keller and Jacob Im. Dwight Kim provided the Under 12’s with valuable minutes off the bench, helping to create several scoring opportunities.

In an NCSA game prior to the weekend, the Fort Lee Under 9 Girls settled for 2-2 draw against RYSA (Ramapo Youth Soccer Assoc), remaining undefeated. In the twenty-second minute midfielder Angelique Corales scored, receiving a pass from defender Joanna Hablitscheck. Soon after, Sophia Kern dribbled past three defenders and placed a high shot into the lower right corner of the net.  RYSA scored on a penalty kick to make it a 2-1 game just before halftime.

Fort Lee had a chance to score an insurance goal, but hit the post. RYSA took advantage of a defensive error and scored to tie the match. Soad Elhomsi, who led Fort Lee’s midfield attack, attempted a free kick in the waning seconds but her shot hit the defensive wall as the game ended at 2-2.

BergenNews.com Sports with Nicole Parente 9.17.2010.  Featuring highlights of Palisades Park/Leonia vs. Cresskill football and Old Tappan vs Bergen Tech soccer

FORT LEE – The borough’s Soccer League kicked-off it’s 25th season with numerous exciting travel team games last weekend with the boys playing on Sat. Sept 11 and the girls on Sun. Sept 12.

The Under 8 Boys travel team edged Clarkstown, N.Y. with an exciting 5-4 win on the road on Saturday, Sept. 11. Fort Lee struck first in the 10-minute mark when Nicolas Vargas-Ceballos tallied. Clarkstown scored just before halftime to make it a 1-1 game. Kensuke Fukui’s scored early in the second half, but Clarkstown quickly countered with a goal off of a corner kick.

David Kuperman tallied twice, one on a counter-attack, which was started by defender Vincent Luppino. Late in the contest, Fort Lee was called for a handball in the penalty area as goalkeeper Eugene Lee saved the penalty kick shot, but the rebound came back to the shooter who knocked it in for the equalizer. Defender Koki Fujita penetrated the opposing defense and knocked in the game-winner late in the match. Fellow defenseman Anthony Rosado helped in breaking up numerous opposing scoring chances as Fort Lee held on to win, with most of the boys playing their first-ever travel team game. The team is led by coaches Mike Payan and Rich Finizio.

In other boys games on the same day, the Under 10 Boys ‘A’ travel team were defeated by Glen Rock 6-0.

The Under 10 Boys ‘B travel team defeated the Mahwah Raiders 7-2. After trailing Mahwah 1-0 in the middle of the first half, Fort Lee stepped up their game. In a well-balanced attack, Mathew Dragoslavic scored twice as Alexander Sercia, Taras Jacus, Anthony Clemente, Jacob Lyandres and Julian Grgurev (two assists) knocked in one each. Eliot Choi and Michael Chien also notched an assist. The team is led by coaches Neven Grgurev and Andrew Jacus.

The Under 12 Boys ‘A’ travel team overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat Ridgefield 2-1 at the Fort Lee Middle School Field, a team that finished in second place in the NCSA’s spring season and led the Premier Division in goals scored and least goals given up.

Ridgefield made Fort Lee pay for it’s inability to score early by taking advantage of a goal kick and blasting a high shot into the goal to take a 1-0 lead. Minutes into the second half, Peter Kim’s cross set up Michael Duarte whose shot eluded the Ridgefield goalie’s fingertips by inches and just made it inside the right post to tie the game. The Under 12’s scored the game-winner 10 minutes later as Duarte’s lead ball found Artin Quinones, who raced by two defenders, dribbled past the onrushing goalkeeper and knocked it into the empty net.

The victory was a result of the strong play of their backline, led by Nicolas Danciu, Hassan Awad and Ethan Keller’s solid man-marking on Ridgefield’s speedy midfielders and forwards. The team is led by 25th year coach John Marin.

On Sunday, Sept. 12, the Under 14 Girls blanked the Vikings Soccer Club 4-0. Goalies Kiana Yee and Zoe Cockinos combined for the shutout. Yee’s most notable save coming on a point blank shot which was deflected away and Cockinos’ memorable save coming in the second half, stopping a penalty kick.

The first goal wasn’t scored until the second half when Nicole Florez struck on a play set up by Bernadette Darcy. Eight minutes later, Florez tallied again on a long ball from Delilah. Less than a minute later Jane Kim made it 3-0 on a pass from Haruhi Naoki. Midfielder Julia Hablitschek added an insurance goal. Defenders Taylor Selmon, Nasuka Mizuma, Michelle Song and Delilah Corales led the backline. The team is led by coaches Greg Yee, Frank McKenna, Jim Cockinos and Henrique Hablitschek.

The Under 9 Girls travel team defeated Arsenal 2-1. Gemma Hong’s rocket from 20 yards out, similar to a goal she scored against the same team a year ago on the last game of the season, gave Fort Lee a 1-0 lead. 15 minutes later, Sophia Kern’s corner kick found Victoria Vado, who put the ball into the upper corner of the goal. Arsenal made it a one goal came late in the contest by midfielders Angelique and Soad Elhmosi dropped back further into the defense to help preserve the win. The team is led by coach Scott Kern.

This fall season, the Fort Lee Soccer League boasts of 600 boys and girls in its program, with 40 in-town teams spread out over 5 different age divisions and a record number 13 travel teams. This year, almost 80 parents have stepped-up to volunteer as coaches. “If it wasn’t for the hundreds of hours put in behind-the-scenes by our Board of Directors (Paul Leale, Alan Keller, John Nitti, Ralph DiMeglio, Rich Finizio and Gerardo Guacci) and the numerous first-year coaches as well as returning coaches, this league would not be possible”, says Founder and President John Marin. “Our goal is to help players develop a higher level of soccer skill and teamwork while still maintaining a fun environment”.

More information on the Fort Lee Soccer League can be found on their website at www.fortleesoccer.com. To contact the league, please send an email to boardmembers@fortleesoccer.com.