The senior commemoration game for Oratory’s varsity soccer team was played Tuesday, October 18th against Hillside. A crowd of Rowdies filtered in and out of the bleachers to thank the senior soccer players on their special day. Players including Michael Koomar, Will Gagliano, David Littlejohn, Anthony Guerriero, Steven Heller, Matthew Falcone, Matthew Bopp, and team manager Matthew “Seamus” Degen were celebrated along with their parents in a special ceremony in which mothers wore the jerseys of their child and were presented with a bouquet of flowers and a banner of the seniors’ name and numbers.

The first half of the game was fought hard. Hillside managed three goals, one being a penalty, while Oratory was close by with two, one from senior Matt Falcone and rookie junior Chris Lubin. By the end of the first half, Hillside led the game 3-2.

A little while into the second half, Hillside manage to score two more goals, increasing their lead to 5-2. With a strong defense, especially from Diego Legaspi and Michael Koomar, and tough offensive maneuvers, Oratory continued to fight. Unfortunately, by the last whistle, the Rams were unable to close the gap or overcome it, ending the game with a Hillside victory 5-2.
While this was the last home game of the regular season, states aren’t far away. If Oratory soccer continues to play with a similar vigor in the upcoming games, the school is in for quite a battle. Again, thanks to all seniors playing their last few games of high school soccer, and to those who haven’t paid their respects, it isn’t too late to make up for it with the upcoming state tournament.