Men’s College Soccer

LAWRENCEVILLE–In the final non-conference game of the season, the Broncs look ready for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference portion of the schedule, having now won five of their last six games. \”Yea, I think we’re ready for MAAC play,\” said Rider head coach Russ Fager after the Broncs defeated La Salle Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore Nico Tramontana (Vineland/Sacred Heart) scored two goals, giving him a team-high four goals on the season. \”Nico is quite a character,\” Fager said. \”He is one of the most comical guys we’ve had on the team in years. He has a flamboyant personality and is very gifted technically on the field. He has raised his level dramatically since last year.\”

Tramontana received a corner kick from senior Lee Tomasso (Westfield) and scored just 3:27 into the game for a 1-0 lead. \”I fanned on one shot earlier, and I did that a few times this year, so I really had to concentrate real hard on that shot,\” Tramontana said.

Tramontana scored again with 16 minutes left in the second half to build a 4-0 lead. \”I was just trying to get it on goal and maybe someone would deflect it in,\” Tramontana said, \”but I got under it more than I thought. I took a peak at the net and just flicked it toward the far post. The goalie just barley nipped it and luckily it went in.\”

Tomasso had two assists for the Broncs. His cross hit sophomore Kevin Juska (Wall) in the chest, went off a defender and caromed to junior Anthony Gilbert (Jamison, Pa./Central Bucks South), who scored to give Rider a 2-0 lead in the 11^th minute of play.

Rider freshman Tom Antonucci (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) came in off the bench and scored his second goal in the last three games on an assist from freshman Andrew Cotes (Selden, N.Y./Newfield) just 41 seconds into the second half.

\”Andrew Cotes has to be one of the biggest surprises we’ve had in a long time,\” Fager said. \”He has tremendous speed, he sees the game well. When I saw him in club ball last year I thought he’d be a nice player for us eventually but I didn’t think he was going to come into it this way and as fast. (Freshman Jim) Bradley (of Sewell/Washington Township) has been playing very solid for us up front. He scored some goals for us early on this year. Antonucci is a good, strong player. He’s playing up front now because that’s where we need him and (freshman Tom) Dunn (of Westampton/Rancocas Valley) missed last year with an injury and is now playing well. When you are playing four or five first-year players and getting these kinds of results, it just means there is more pressure on the upperclassmen to come out and perform.\”

Rider junior goalkeeper Randall Zapolski (Lawrence) made eight saves, including six in the first half. Zapolski served as a back-up for two years behind All-MAAC goalkeeper Dan Riverso, who is now an assistant coach. \”It’s a lot different for me this year,\” Zapolski said. \”You get a little shocked at first, used to sitting on the bench. It makes practice better, more excited. It makes life a little better, knowing you are going to play on game day. Dan (Riverso) is still keeping me on my toes.\”

\”Randy is in his third year and getting the chance to play and he has five wins already,\” Fager said. \”He’s been doing a good job for us. He’s learning game by game, he’s maturing nicely.\”

La Salle (2-4-1) out-shot Rider 17-11 and ruined the shutout with a goal by Kevin Lydic with less than 14 minutes left to play. Rider defeated La Salle 2-1 in Philadelphia last season, and the Broncs are now 8-10-1 against the Explorers since the series began in 1966.

Rider began the season 0-3, but now heads into conference play with a winning record. \”The difference between the first three games and the last six is now everyone is getting used to each other, getting used to the formation, and everyone is finding their own role,\” Zapolski said. \”We’re just starting to realize what is important and what is needed to win the game. We’re starting to mesh well.\”

\”I don’t think we’ve played a bad game all year,\” Fager said. \”We’re getting people into better spots now. We’re probably working a little harder. We’re a little bit closer knit as a team. Everybody is pulling for each other. Everyone realizes that somewhere along the way they are going to get their chance at glory.\”

On Saturday Nico was in his glory. \”We’re trying to change last year’s attitude and the first few games this year we hadn’t really done that,\” Tramontana said. \”But we’re obviously doing that now. The hustle, especially on defense, is the difference. Everyone is working for each other, listening to each other, and it is paying off big time.\”

Rider travels to Marist Friday for the first of nine consecutive MAAC games. \”I can not wait until the MAAC games start,\” Tramontana said.

\”That is what we’ve been working on all year,\” Zapolski said. \”This is all for getting ready for the MAAC season. We haven’t done anything in the MAAC yet this year.\”

That all changes Friday.

The Gloucester City Breakfast Club met on Saturday, September 29 at the Dining Car Depot, Monmouth Street and railroad.

Winner of 50-50, Walt Hall, $72. September treasury report $216. Vote for moving: Yes 13 N0 15 (the no\’s have it). Vote for charity donation: Yes 11, No 12 (the no\’s win). Five people didn\’t vote. Total members present, 28.

Photo: sitting, from left, Bob Sliwa, Ed Simila, Earl Kaighn, Bill Gross, Joe Miller, Pete Coppola, Frank \”Reds\” Grandizio, Jim Coppola, and Stu Reckard.

Standing from left, Ed Hubbs, Walt Hall, George Cleary, Butch Shaffer, Bob Bevan, Frank DiFelice, Bill \”Wibby\” Yeager, Jack \”Oats\” McDade, Mike Gurcik Sr., Ron Villanova, Ron Raube, Ron Middleton, Chal Tourtual, Joe Boulden, and Jack Persichetti.

Missing from photo: Ken MacAdams, Joe DiGiacomo, Harry Blymer, and Bill Cleary. Don\’t forget, Ray Ford\’s Old-timers Meeting, October 19th, doors open 7 PM, Gloucester Hts. Fire Hall, Nicholson Road.
Below: from left, Butch Shaffer, Joe Miller, Pete Coppola

 

see album

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD PVT. PAUL J. GARNER has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

He is the son of Helen Garner of Thorofare.

CMDR. JAMES R. RAIMONDO, USN, recently assumed command of Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School, Atlantic. Cmdr. Raimondo relieved Cmdr. Herbert R. Race during an airborne ceremony at Naval Station Mayport. Cmdr. Race\’s next assignment is with OPNAV (N6) in Washington, D.C. The new executive officer is Cmdr. Charles Armin, USN.

RAIMONDO

Command was transferred in a ceremony held at and over Naval Station Mayport when the orders were read. A lead change was conducted signifying to all in attendance that Cmdr. Raimondo assumed the lead of the Weapons School.

Cmdr. Raimondo is a native of Woodbury. He was commissioned in December 1989 via the Hampton Roads NROTC program and graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., with a bachelor of art degree in English. In 2001, he was awarded a master of science in administration (information
resource management) from Central Michigan University.

Cmdr. Raimondo was designated an Unrestricted Naval Aviator and Helicopter Pilot in October 1991 and reported for FRS training at HSL-30. He reported to HSL-34 in October 1992. During his tour with the \”Greencheckers\” he flew the SH-2F Sea Sprite and completed deployments in USS NICHOLSON (DD 982), USS DEYO (DD 989), USS AUBREY FITCH (FFG 34) and USS ESTOCIN (FFG 15).

In November 1993, after the disestablishment of HSL-34, Cmdr. Raimondo reported to the SH-60B FRS, HSL-40, in Mayport, Fla. After completing Seahawk training, he deployed with the HSL-42 \”Proud Warriors\” in USS HUE CITY (CG 66), USS KAUFFMAN (FFG 59), and USS SPRUANCE (DD 963).

In August 1996, Cmdr. Raimondo transferred to the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, White House Liaison Office, Washington, D.C., as a member of SECNAV\’s immediate staff. Cmdr. Raimondo departed the Pentagon in July 1999 and reported as Flag Lieutenant for RADM William Schmidt, President, Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), in Norfolk, Va.

Cmdr. Raimondo reported to the Swamp Foxes of HSL-44 in November 2001. He was assigned as Officer-in-Charge, Detachment TEN embarked in USS SIMPSON (FFG 56), and deployed to the Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, and Western Atlantic for Counter-Narco Terrorist/UNITAS missions in 2002. He subsequently served as HSL-44 Training Officer and Maintenance Officer.

Cmdr. Raimondo was HSL-44\’s Officer of the Year for 2003 and was awarded the 2003 COMHSLWINGLANT Admiral Paulsen Award for Inspirational Leadership.

In May 2004, Cmdr. Raimondo returned to the Pentagon and served on the CNO\’s staff as Flag Aide to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Most recently, he served as the Helicopter Strike Maritime Weapons School, Atlantic\’s Executive Officer from June 2006 through August 2007.

Cmdr. Raimondo is married to the former Sherri Elizabeth Brown, and they have three children. He will report to OPNAV (N6) in Washington, D.C.

NAVY SEAMAN CHRISTOPHER M. PASTIN, son of Arleen K. and John R. Pastin of Glassboro, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Pastin completed a variety of training that included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is \”Battle Stations.\” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. \”Battle Stations\” is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly \”Navy\” flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.

Pastin is a 2000 graduate of Broadneck High School of Annapolis, Md.