2008 Fall Final
Boys Soccer
The Raiders finished their season with a flourish, winning three state tournament road games against higher seeds before falling to eventual Group III champion Millburn in the section finals to wind up 13-9-2. The Raiders rode a stingy defense of juniors Mike Henkels, Matt Greaney, Jason Pearl, Chris Freeman and goalie Mike Bumiller to win three straight 1-0 games. Junior Anthony Zukofsky, who shared time in goal with Bumiller, came off the bench against Summit to help the Raiders win a penalty kick shootout in the semi finals.
Juniors Joey D’Annunzio one of only two returning starters, provided leadership and played numerous roles, solidifying the young defense and adding offensive punch. He was the only Raider to be name to the Star Ledger first team all county and won the team Most Valuable Player award.
Juniors Mike DelSordi and Brendan McEvoy paced the offense and junior Justin Brownstein scored two game winning goals early in the season. With the return next season of their most talented player, Johan Hernandez, who missed the entire season with a leg injury, the future looks extremely bright.
Other awards included D'Annunzio, Delsordi ,Greaney and Freeman first team All County Coaches. The offensive MVP was Delsordi. The defensive MVP was Freeman. Mark Koransky was the most improved player and freshman Travis Cortes was
Rookie of the Year.
Football
Defensive problems hindered the Raiders all season as they wound up 4-6. Steve Ciccotelli’s 2008 team featured a strong running game led by the inside outside combination of senior tailback Anthony Taylor, who rushed for over 1400 yards and fellow senior Marcus Green, the team’s top all around player.
Junior Quarterback Gary Binkewicz developed into a solid signal caller in his first season, tossing to wide receivers Adam Clark and Brian Bonacum.. Binkewicz was also a dangerous runner on keeper plays and was able to buy time with his scrambling ability.
Seniors Ryan Brown and Mark Renfree paced the offensive line. Green was all over the field on defense and led the team in tackles. Seniors Kenny Azard, and Mike Ferrara were other sterling defensive players. The kicking game was in the capable foot of senior John Domanski.
Girls Soccer
The Girls soccer team won its second section title in three years and won its fourth straight county title to highlight a record setting 19-5-1 season. The Raiders blanked Johnson on its home field to take the county title and exacted sweet revenge when they crushed Mendham 4-1 in the section finals. A year ago the same teams had played in the finals with Mendham winning, Kevin Ewing’s team got off to a slow start with early losses to Westfield and Pingry, but caught fire in the middle of the season.
Although the team had a potent offense, which scored at least eight goals six times, it was a sterling defense that was the team’s strength all season. Senior Goalie Jaclyn Law, the county’s best a year ago repeated as all county goalie.. Law thrived by having talented senior Steph Glover as her sweeper and senior Tina Camarda and juniors Ally Prestridge Delia McGee also solidified the defense.
Senior Raychel Kruper,a four year starter, has adroitly controlled the midfield and was voted the Union County Player of the Year. Senior Katie Cornacchia scored many key goals. Juniors Sarah Canfield and Corrine Walker added speed to the midfield and sophomore Avika Shah became the team’s most dangerous scorer. Freshman Sarah Van Buskirk showed tremendous potential.
Gymnastics
The Scotch Plains Fanwood Gymnastics team had a fine season led by three all around juniors, Jessica Colineri, Gina Pelosi, and Lindsay Robinson. Other solid contributors included senior captains, Alison Lasher, Jennifer DiGiuseppe, and Kristen Spirko. Junior Victoria Shack, and sophomore Tori Berman also qualified to compete in the State-Sectional Tournament.
Tennis
A young Girls’ Tennis team under first year coach Gary Wasserman finished strong to wind up 14-7.The Raiders qualified for the state tournament and advanced to the second round before losing.
Junior Alex Szczuka had a solid second season on first singles, fighting hard against the opposition’s top player and wound up 21-6. Sophomore Isabel Lopez vaulted from second doubles to excel at second singles. Junior Neha Pannuri moved up from first doubles to be a solid third singles player, finishing third in the county tournament.
Although they played together for the first time, senior Emily Katz and junior Lyndsey Douglas were a winning combination on first doubles. The second doubles team of senior Julie Deutsch and sophomore Christina Reiman has also showed improvement. Both teams placed in the county tournament.
With five starters returning next year, the future looks bright.
Volleyball
Despite playing a challenging schedule, the Raiders were a competitive 10-9 under fourth year Coach Adrienne Stack. Seniors Jillian Coffey, Kristin Betau, Laura Degnan, Nicole DeSando and Kim Shelius all played solidly at the net. Becky Brand continues to make tough digs to help set up her teammates and middle hitter Kim Wenson fulfilled numerous roles. The Raiders’ top performance came in the Union County Tournament when they upset Roselle Catholic to make it to the semi finals where they lost to eventual champion Union Catholic.
Boys Cross Country
Senior Martin Sweeney paced a deep and talented team to an 8-1 mark, losing only to Westfield. Three talented juniors Brian Walsh, Brandon Wheeler and Bobby Evans and sophomore Alex Parker backed up Sweeney, who qualified for the Meet of Champions. The Raiders qualified for the state championships and were second in the Watchung Conference.
Girls Cross Country
Led by senior Brittney Veeck compiled an 8-1 dual meet record, losing only to Westfield. Veeck provided the highlight of the season when she set a school record in winning the Watchung Conference and led the Raiders to second. Sophomore Laura Bruce and senior Emily Carow followed behind Veeck and senior Christine MacLean was a pleasant surprise.
The Raiders finished their season with a flourish, winning three state tournament road games against higher seeds before falling to eventual Group III champion Millburn in the section finals to wind up 13-9-2. The Raiders rode a stingy defense of juniors Mike Henkels, Matt Greaney, Jason Pearl, Chris Freeman and goalie Mike Bumiller to win three straight 1-0 games. Junior Anthony Zukofsky, who shared time in goal with Bumiller, came off the bench against Summit to help the Raiders win a penalty kick shootout in the semi finals.
Juniors Joey D’Annunzio one of only two returning starters, provided leadership and played numerous roles, solidifying the young defense and adding offensive punch. He was the only Raider to be name to the Star Ledger first team all county and won the team Most Valuable Player award.
Juniors Mike DelSordi and Brendan McEvoy paced the offense and junior Justin Brownstein scored two game winning goals early in the season. With the return next season of their most talented player, Johan Hernandez, who missed the entire season with a leg injury, the future looks extremely bright.
Other awards included D'Annunzio, Delsordi ,Greaney and Freeman first team All County Coaches. The offensive MVP was Delsordi. The defensive MVP was Freeman. Mark Koransky was the most improved player and freshman Travis Cortes was
Rookie of the Year.
Football
Defensive problems hindered the Raiders all season as they wound up 4-6. Steve Ciccotelli’s 2008 team featured a strong running game led by the inside outside combination of senior tailback Anthony Taylor, who rushed for over 1400 yards and fellow senior Marcus Green, the team’s top all around player.
Junior Quarterback Gary Binkewicz developed into a solid signal caller in his first season, tossing to wide receivers Adam Clark and Brian Bonacum.. Binkewicz was also a dangerous runner on keeper plays and was able to buy time with his scrambling ability.
Seniors Ryan Brown and Mark Renfree paced the offensive line. Green was all over the field on defense and led the team in tackles. Seniors Kenny Azard, and Mike Ferrara were other sterling defensive players. The kicking game was in the capable foot of senior John Domanski.
Girls Soccer
The Girls soccer team won its second section title in three years and won its fourth straight county title to highlight a record setting 19-5-1 season. The Raiders blanked Johnson on its home field to take the county title and exacted sweet revenge when they crushed Mendham 4-1 in the section finals. A year ago the same teams had played in the finals with Mendham winning, Kevin Ewing’s team got off to a slow start with early losses to Westfield and Pingry, but caught fire in the middle of the season.
Although the team had a potent offense, which scored at least eight goals six times, it was a sterling defense that was the team’s strength all season. Senior Goalie Jaclyn Law, the county’s best a year ago repeated as all county goalie.. Law thrived by having talented senior Steph Glover as her sweeper and senior Tina Camarda and juniors Ally Prestridge Delia McGee also solidified the defense.
Senior Raychel Kruper,a four year starter, has adroitly controlled the midfield and was voted the Union County Player of the Year. Senior Katie Cornacchia scored many key goals. Juniors Sarah Canfield and Corrine Walker added speed to the midfield and sophomore Avika Shah became the team’s most dangerous scorer. Freshman Sarah Van Buskirk showed tremendous potential.
Gymnastics
The Scotch Plains Fanwood Gymnastics team had a fine season led by three all around juniors, Jessica Colineri, Gina Pelosi, and Lindsay Robinson. Other solid contributors included senior captains, Alison Lasher, Jennifer DiGiuseppe, and Kristen Spirko. Junior Victoria Shack, and sophomore Tori Berman also qualified to compete in the State-Sectional Tournament.
Tennis
A young Girls’ Tennis team under first year coach Gary Wasserman finished strong to wind up 14-7.The Raiders qualified for the state tournament and advanced to the second round before losing.
Junior Alex Szczuka had a solid second season on first singles, fighting hard against the opposition’s top player and wound up 21-6. Sophomore Isabel Lopez vaulted from second doubles to excel at second singles. Junior Neha Pannuri moved up from first doubles to be a solid third singles player, finishing third in the county tournament.
Although they played together for the first time, senior Emily Katz and junior Lyndsey Douglas were a winning combination on first doubles. The second doubles team of senior Julie Deutsch and sophomore Christina Reiman has also showed improvement. Both teams placed in the county tournament.
With five starters returning next year, the future looks bright.
Volleyball
Despite playing a challenging schedule, the Raiders were a competitive 10-9 under fourth year Coach Adrienne Stack. Seniors Jillian Coffey, Kristin Betau, Laura Degnan, Nicole DeSando and Kim Shelius all played solidly at the net. Becky Brand continues to make tough digs to help set up her teammates and middle hitter Kim Wenson fulfilled numerous roles. The Raiders’ top performance came in the Union County Tournament when they upset Roselle Catholic to make it to the semi finals where they lost to eventual champion Union Catholic.
Boys Cross Country
Senior Martin Sweeney paced a deep and talented team to an 8-1 mark, losing only to Westfield. Three talented juniors Brian Walsh, Brandon Wheeler and Bobby Evans and sophomore Alex Parker backed up Sweeney, who qualified for the Meet of Champions. The Raiders qualified for the state championships and were second in the Watchung Conference.
Girls Cross Country
Led by senior Brittney Veeck compiled an 8-1 dual meet record, losing only to Westfield. Veeck provided the highlight of the season when she set a school record in winning the Watchung Conference and led the Raiders to second. Sophomore Laura Bruce and senior Emily Carow followed behind Veeck and senior Christine MacLean was a pleasant surprise.
Labels: D'Annunzio, Green, Sweeney, Veeck
posted by David Lazarus at 8:07 AM
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