When freshman soccer player Aavik Akarte showed up for tryouts this past August, little could he know what his inaugural high school season would transform into. After receiving a call up to the junior varsity team during the county tournament, Akarte was given the opportunity to suit up with the varsity squad.
This is not too uncommon, as many times in the past the Scotch Plains-Fanwood boys soccer team has called up younger players for the state tournament. What makes Akarte’s story one-of-a-kind, is that he scored the goal that changed Raider players, coaches and fans spirits, one that they will never forget.
“I saw the ball [coming in] and I [thought], maybe there’s a chance I can get to the ball before [the goalkeeper] does and I did,” Akarte told The Fanscotian. “I tried to redirect it, and put the ball in.”
Akarte’s golden goal broke the overtime stalemate with only 2:24 left before a penalty shootout would occur, and sent the Raiders to the state championship with a 3-2 victory over the Ridgewood Maroons on Nov. 19. With the combination of recently being called up to the varsity level and the fact that he is a freshman, Akarte was even surprised when his name was called to step onto the field.
Even though the move to sub on Akarte may have seemed like a surprise to some, head coach Alex Passucci and his coaching staff never doubted what the freshman could accomplish.
“We felt [Akarte] was ready for that challenge, and he’s been playing very well and been training well, so we decided that this was the right time for him to get some minutes,” Passucci said.
Despite a strong hold of the possession the whole game, SPF was able to fight and find ways to expose their opponent. After going up 2-0 on goals from freshman Taso Pavlou and junior Jayvon Young, the Raiders allowed Ridgewood to crawl back into the game, before ending their hopes of a state championship in double overtime.
“We’re solid defensively, we fight, we’re resilient,” head coach Alex Passucci said. “We grind and we haven’t conceded many goals this season. [This team] just finds a way to win.”
SPF will now play Southern on Sunday. Nov. 24 at Franklin High School, where they hope to end their 26 year state championship drought. This will be no easy matchup, as the Rams have dominated all season, finishing with a record of 18-5-1.
“We’re certainly happy that we got the win and that we have an opportunity to play in the state final,” head coach Alex Passucci said.
SPF had to rely on all parts of their game to come out on top in this Group 4 semifinals, but the defense specifically shined. Whether it was one of the four defenders, sophomore Massimo Passucci, junior Bradley Pearce or seniors Devin Pearce and Jack Sponheimer, or junior goalkeeper Shawn Guzman, the Raiders were able to limit the strong Maroon offense.
Guzman arguably had as much action as he had all season, fending off crosses that were whipped in by the Ridgewood wingers and punching out incoming corner kicks. Both Devin Pearce and Sponheimer led the defense in calmly playing when pressure ensued, and worked on the offensive end as well to create chances. Both Akarte and Pavlou’s goals were assisted by Sponheimer, as he crossed the ball in from the right wing.
Even at times when the Raiders looked tired, their skill and gameplanning enabled them to become victorious. With a team mostly of seniors, the Raiders have been playing with an experienced squad all season, and have not fallen under the pressure. Games against Westfield, Rahway and Freehold have built them for moments like this, and allow for the Raiders to be unstoppable when playing at their best.
Claiming a berth in the state championship, SPF will now hope to make history once again this season, and win their first state title since 1998. The Raiders have been fighting to reach the pinnacle of New Jersey High School Soccer for the past 26 years, and this win would be the cherry on top to an almost perfect season.
It makes sense SPF had to play in double overtime to reach the semifinals, as their whole season has been full of last minute goals and victories. This game is just another one of the thrilling wins that will be added to the history books, and remembered by all fans in attendance.
