Sports Roundup: Spring Season Recaps

With only the track season yet to wrap up entirely, Fort Lee Patch sports editor Chris Murray took a look back last week at the seasons that were for the Fort Lee varsity golf, softball, tennis and baseball teams. Here's a review:

It was a season of change for head coach Bob Ciccone and the Lady Bridgemen golf team, in large part because there was no season for the boys. It was a season that saw a group of girls  join together to create the first full year of girls varsity golf at Fort Lee High School, and it was a successful learning experience for all involved.

“Going into the season, I had no idea what to expect," said Ciccone. "I figured we would be competitive after last year playing against the boys and finishing 13-16, I thought we would be able to compete. Also going from match play to stroke play was an adjustment.”

The team finished with a record of 14-7, and senior Sarah Wi came up huge for Fort Lee this season, becoming the low scorer in every match played and a four year first team all league player. Wi’s sister will be joining the team next year as a freshman along with returning players Monica Hong, Alice Ji and Boram Choi. (full article)

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The Lady Bridgemen softball team finished the season with a record of 15-7-1. The record signifies not only a great season but also a monumental one, in which the team tied last year’s squad for the all time record for wins in a season.

 Many players on the team earned honors, including Amanda Moldanado, who was named a first team all league pitcher; Caitlin Mckenna, who was named as a first team all league outfielder; Megan Gimson, who made first team all league catcher, Jillian Scrivanich, named  second team all league infielder; Anthe Nikolaidis, named second team all league first baseman; Brianna Mattesich, who was named to the first team all league as an infielder and Morgan Romba, who also made first team all league as an outfielder. Nikki Farber and Renee Mattesich made all league honorable mention. (full article)

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Every member of the Bridgemen tennis team enjoyed success this season, and the remaining players will look to remain a league powerhouse when next season rolls around.

The team finished with a league record of 8-0 and an overall record of 11-1, with every player on the team earning first team all league honors. The doubles team of Andrew Lee and Yuki Takahashi went undefeated for the entire regular season and finished up with second team all county honors for doubles competition. They also never lost a set until the semifinals of the county tournament, a feat which is beyond impressive.

The team was lead by head coach Philip Zappel, who was pleased and proud of all of his guys.

“We went undefeated in the league and exceeded many expectations in the county and state tournament,” Zappel said. (full article)

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The Bridgemen baseball team finished the season with a record of 10-16, but did qualify for the state playoffs, where they fell to West Essex Regional High School in the first round.

It was an up and down year for Fort Lee that started off on a different note for the club. Head coach Mike Raftery and his team went down to Florida to play two scrimmages and the first two regular season games. This trip was on the list of highlights of the season.

“Second trip to Disney's ESPN Spring Training Complex and a return to the state playoffs,” said Raftery in reference to some highlight moments from the season.

The Bridgemen made the state tournament for the first time since 2007, which was a great accomplishment for a team that had great moments all year provided by starting senior pitcher John Hroncic, along with Nick Gogic, Mike Frankel, Nick Gentile, Ross Fasman, Pedro Lopez and others. (full article)

Editor's Note: Fort Lee Patch will take a look back on the spring track season in an article next week.