Oratory Prep Varsity Soccer Season Recap

Image+Courtesy+of+Mrs.+Gribbin++

Image Courtesy of Mrs. Gribbin

George Fagan, Staff Writer

As the seasons start to change, it is the time of year where all New Jersey high schools turn to winter sports as the fall sports come to a close. As of the other day, Oratory Soccer has come to an end for the 2022-23 season. The 22-23 season definitely had its high and lows. The Rams would be facing all different types of challenges and strong opponents including St Peter’s Prep, Cranford, Morristown, and Governor Livingston. They would go from a team that only won 3 games last year to one that was competing for the conference all the way up till the refs final whistle. The Rams would finish the season with a decent record of 9-9-2 after their loss to Dwight Englewood. Although it was a heartbreaking loss, the Rams still have a lot to reflect on from a great season. Just one year ago, the team only scored 17 goals all season long; this is compared to the Rams recording an equal goal amount within a month from the start of the season. Senior forward Jack Maenpaa would nearly match last year’s total with his team leading 16 goals on the season. Kal Mitchell would also have a very strong season for his first year starting in net for varsity with a season total of 95 saves. Kal’s clutch play in net resulted in him keeping the Rams in close games. On the team this year, each of the fourteen seniors each contributed in some shape or form throughout the season in order to help the team win. These guys would improve together and play with their heart out from the first whistle away at St Peter’s at the beginning of September, to the final whistle away at Dwight-Englewood at the beginning of November. The Rams competed in every game, taking several of the 20 appearances to overtime. Although the Rams had their negatives to the season, the 2022-2023 season will overall be known for being a success in some shape or form.