It’s been a long time since OP Soccer last took the field for a competitive game. The pandemic has pushed the fall high school sports season back a whole month, and in doing so, all teams have had their season shortened. Normally, high school soccer teams play around 20 games each year, but this time around teams will only be participating in about 10 games. 

OP soccer kicked off the year against Roselle Park, a Union County opponent. The game was scheduled as the Rams’ senior night, and 12 seniors were recognized for their contributions to the soccer program. The seniors distributed flowers to their parents and took pictures next to their personal banners. Of course, the scenes were a little different than what typical senior nights look like since all players and parents in attendance were required to wear masks, but this did not take away from the specialty of the night. 

Now, in regards to the game, the Rams took a lead after two minutes when Marcelo Freire placed home a free kick from just outside the 18. Throughout the remainder of the half, the game saw a chippy edge as fouls were being called right and left. Let’s just say Roselle Park players don’t like staying on their feet when contact is made by a defender. Nevertheless, if any team was dominant, it was certainly the Rams. Roselle Park hardly threatened Matt Terraciano in the Oratory goal and, as a matter of fact, they got very few passes completed in their middle and offensive third. On the other hand, OP possessed the ball better in higher areas of the field. However, not many shots were put on frame, and with that being said, the advantage didn’t increase in the first 40.

In the second half, the Rams tested the Roselle Park goalie more often. Their shot tally doubled and more shots were being fired on target. Finally, the lead was doubled when Joe Marchese’s deflected cross fell to the lurking striker, Doug Colandrea. Marc Feliu and Marcelo came close to adding a third, but the game ended in a 2-0 win for OP.