When the scoring breakdown of Hudson Catholic’s recent boys’ soccer victory over Marist first appeared in local papers and online, it didn’t appear as being too newsworthy.
It said that sophomore forward R.J. Tumamak scored a goal in the Hawks’ 4-1 victory.
However, what wasn’t apparent right away is that the player with the name of R.J. is actually Rheanafe Joyce Tumamak. Yes, she’s a girl, playing boys’ varsity soccer at Hudson Catholic, which only became co-educational in September of 2009.
And yes, little R.J. Tumamak, all 4-foot-8 and 105 pounds of her, scored a goal for the boys’ soccer team last week, becoming the first girl to score a goal in a boys’ varsity soccer game in Hudson County since 1988.
Other girls have played varsity soccer with the boys, but none got the chance to put one in the back of the net like R.J. Tumamak.
R.J. Tumamak has been playing soccer since she was in second grade in her native Belleville. She played with and against girls growing up through grade school, but when she received an academic scholarship to attend Hudson Catholic, she didn’t want to give up on her soccer playing days.
After all, Hudson Catholic, still new to having female students after being an all-male institution since its inception in the mid 1960s, didn’t have a girls’ soccer team.
“I was kind of disappointed when I found out there wasn’t a girls’ team here,” Tumamak said. “But I wanted to play.”
So Tumamak told her parents that she was going to be part of the boys’ team at her new school.
“My parents were sort of freaking out, because they thought I was going to get trampled by the boys,” Tumamak said.
There was another reason for concern, because diminutive R.J. had already suffered two anterior cruciate ligament injuries to both of her knees.
“I did that playing basketball,” Tumamak said. “But I felt like I could take on the boys. I wasn’t afraid and I wasn’t intimidated.”
So when R.J. enrolled at Hudson Catholic last year, she became a part of the boys’ junior varsity team.
“It helped me a lot,” Tumamak said. “I learned to get more physical with the boys. I got faster and better.”
And the rest of the boys’ program took Tumamak in as one of their own.
“They accepted me,” Tumamak said. “They didn’t treat me any differently. I was just one of the boys. I liked it. Just like I am in school. I’m one of the boys.”
Tumamak knew that she had to make a step up this year, because the school didn’t field a JV team. If she was going to play, it was with the varsity.
“But I felt like I was a lot better than last year,” Tumamak said. “I had more control with the ball.”
Tumamak has been a reserve this season in Julio Sosa’s first season with the Hawks. But she got the chance to enter the game against Marist and was thinking goal all the way.
“I got into the game and I really wanted to score,” Tumamak said. “I was playing forward and my teammate crossed the ball to me. I had an open net. I knew if I missed, I would be so upset with myself. I made the shot from about 10 yards out.”
And with that, Tumamak carved a slice of Hudson County history.
“I was so excited,” Tumamak said. “I felt awkward if I screamed so loud, so I just did a little dance.”
Tumamak plays in the spring with girls’ travel teams in Belleville, so she does get a chance to play among her own gender. She may get a chance to do so next year, when Hudson Catholic plans to institute girls’ soccer as a varsity sport.
For now, R.J. is happy doing what she’s doing.
“It really means a lot to me,” Tumamak said. “I’m really proud of it. The pressure is off now. I scored a goal. I never thought it was possible.”
And as for what her goal scoring prowess means?
“It means that you should never give up,” said Tumamak, who aspires to become a lawyer someday and play women’s college soccer. “It’s made me become such a better soccer player.”…
Grid observations: Weehawken’s Damian Corredor is already over the 1,000-yard plateau this season and continues to lead the entire state in rushing….Lincoln QB Isiah Roberts had a brilliant game last week, completing eight of 13 passes for 152 yards and four touchdown passes in the Lions’ win over Marist…North Bergen rebounded with a solid win over Memorial and the coach’s grandson, Vin Ascolese, had a great day, recording 11 tackles, three sacks, and recovered a fumble, while rushing for 64 yards and a touchdown in the win….Brandon Napoleon returned for St. Peter’s Prep and threw a touchdown pass, scored on a kickoff return and rushed for 91 yards in the Marauders’ big win over Boston College High School up in Boston…
Hudson Reporter H.S. Football Top Five: 1. St. Peter’s Prep (2-2). 2. Secaucus (4-0). 3. Bayonne (4-0). 4. Union City (3-1). 5. North Bergen (2-2)….
Hudson Reporter H.S. Soccer Top Five: 1. St. Peter’s Prep (8-1). 2. North Bergen (6-3). 3. Bayonne (6-4). 4. Union City (4-4-1). 5. Dickinson (4-4)…
Finally, the Hoboken Little League will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a cocktail dinner/dance at the Hoboken Elks on Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 for one and $50 for a couple. For more information, call (201) 852-5833. All proceeds will benefit the Hoboken Little League baseball and softball programs…–Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.