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Over the past two years, the Glen Ridge boys soccer team’s losses have gone far beyond its standings, team record or state tournament results.

deaths of former team members Max Renteria and Nathan Latifi This event, over a 55-day period in the winter of 2022, had an emotional impact on a young squad last year, before later this season coach Brian Ianni lost his mother Patricia following a long illness.

As the team danced on the field after defeating 11th-seeded Verona, 2-0, in the NJSIAA North Jersey Division II Group 1 final at Watsessing Park in Bloomfield, it couldn’t begin to tell the story of its two-year campaign. trip.

“I think the burden of carrying the torch for Max and Nathan was a lot last year, especially for a young team,” Ianni said.

“Then I lost my mother a month ago. But these kids worked with the assistants and focused while I was away. But we’ve had a tough couple of years mentally. But they are so locked in. This speaks to their character. “They were great.”

That stretch culminated in an impressive run to the district title as the Ridgers (15-6-1) outscored their four playoff opponents 15-3.

Verona (11-7-2) took a defensive approach, keeping the game scoreless throughout the first half, but a corner kick led to senior Ryan Mansfield bouncing on the loose ball in front of the net and then scoring at 1:30. call.

That goal forced the Hillbillies to take more chances, which led to senior Cole Moshos scoring off a cross from sophomore Max Fleischer with just 6:10 left in the game.

“They are playing really great football,” Ianni said. “They knocked out some great teams and we were aware of how they played. They weren’t really technical but they were physical and they responded very well. That was our biggest concern.

We started to move the ball a little bit and throw it over the back line to create some space in the middle. We realized we had to rely on the set pieces. “We got a good corner kick, the ball bounced and Ryan was able to capitalize.”

Mansfield did not start the first half but made the most of playing time in the second half.

“He only plays about 15 minutes a game but he is causing problems,” Ianni said. He is a high energy man.

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