Ever since he took over as head coach of the Dickinson High School boys’ soccer program six years ago, Robert Brower has watched the Rams improve from year to year. Brower guided the Rams to a 15-6-2 record a year ago, with a team that featured two-time All-Area striker Jason Laing and standout defender Herbert Iglesias.
Even though the Rams lost those talented players from last year, they could very well be a better squad this year, thanks in part to team togetherness and camaraderie.
“Last year, we had those two stars to rely upon,” Brower said. “This year, we really don’t have superstars. We have 16 kids who all play as one. They play much better as a team. I’m the luckiest guy in the world, because I have 16 men who would die for each other if they had to. That’s what makes coaching this team a joy.”
It also doesn’t hurt that the Rams are undefeated in the early stages of the new season, enjoying their best start in recent memory, winning all six of their matches and in convincing fashion for that matter. They’ve scored 25 goals as a team in six games and surrendered only four.
“I think it has to be a little bit of a surprise, considering the players we lost from last year,” Brower said. “But am I surprised? Not really. It’s definitely the most experienced team we’ve ever had. Most of these kids have been with me for three and four years. Experience builds confidence. I think they all realize what they’re capable of.”
Brower knows that a Hudson County soccer team can catch lightning in a bottle, having everything go right and carrying that fortune to a championship. It occurred a year ago, when Memorial practically came out of nowhere to steamroll its way to the school’s first HCIAA championship in over a decade.
“A team like Memorial can fly under the radar, and then they emerged as loaded as any team,” Brower said. “That was a team that played well together and became dominant. I think our kids see that. Hard work beats talent when hard work works hard. I know that sounds like a silly statement, but it’s true.”
So Brower has instilled a team motto within the Rams, one that is certainly hitting home throughout the first third of the season.
“If Memorial could catch lightning in a bottle last year, then why can’t we?” Brower said. “Why not us? That’s our motto. Why not us? We say that every day before practice. I think we have the team that can win it.”
And it’s been more than 20 years since Dickinson last claimed a soccer championship. It’s believed to be 1984, when former Dickinson coach Emilio Pane was a goalkeeper for the Rams, before he went on to play at St. Peter’s College.
Needless to say, it’s been a long time since the school on the hill enjoyed soccer glory.
“Absolutely, we can do it,” Brower said. “But let’s keep in mind that it’s only six games. We can’t get carried away in ourselves. We still have about 14 games left. But to me, it’s a sign of some great things.”
The Rams are fortunate to have one of the best defenders around in senior sweeper Momar Diop, whom Brower called “the best player in the county.”
“Any dreams we have of winning the county lies with him,” Brower said of Diop, who transferred to Dickinson last year from France. “We rely so much on him.”
Juniors Mina Azary and Jorge Garrido split time at stopper. Senior Pedro Hernandez and junior Lionel Emabat round out the defensive corps. Hernandez has been a four-year starter for the Rams.
The Rams are fortunate enough to have two talented goalkeepers in senior Victor Tapia and freshman Ariel Canales. The two will split the playing time in net for the remainder of the season.
“It’s a blessing when you have a freshman goalkeeper who is just as good as the senior,” Brower said.
The Rams use a host of players in the midfield, like senior Christian Vasconez, who has scored two goals and collected seven assists in the first six games, but has more of an important role than just playmaking.
“Christian is our team,” Brower said. “He’s Dickinson High School. I can’t put it any better than that. He really is. I have that much faith in him to be our leader. He does everything.”
Senior Ramon Musad and junior Donald Navas are also players to watch in the midfield. Juniors Ahmed Hanafy and Manuel Villa provide depth, playing both the forward and midfield positions.
The forwards are senior Jesus Benitez, who has six goals this season, and senior Maximilian Garcia, a transfer from North Bergen, who has scored 12 goals thus far.
“He’s on fire,” Brower said of Garcia. “I’ve never seen anything like it. He’ll take two shots a game and both will go in. It’s amazing.”
It’s also amazing that Dickinson is being considered among the favorites to capture the HCIAA title this fall. Of course, the Rams have yet to face frontrunners like North Bergen and defending champion Memorial.
“The heart of our schedule is coming up,” Brower said of showdowns with North Bergen this week and Memorial next week. “It’s time for us to put up or shut up. When I took over the program, I always hoped that it would get to this, that we would be playing big games. I just like the way we’re playing. I think it’s a sign of great things to come.”
However, after six games, Dickinson is right there, undefeated, on a roll.
“It’s a great feeling,” Brower said, crediting the help he has received from assistant coach Rene Portillo, who once played for Brower at Dickinson. “We’re getting recognized. We’re playing great soccer. Hopefully that can continue, but for now, I’m happy with the results. If this keeps up, then we will be holding the trophy and tearing the nets down.”
At the very least, the thought is there. That’s the first start. Now, let’s see what the Rams are truly made of.