When Miguel Perez played soccer at Dickinson in 2003, there was a sense of pride and dignity in the school’s boys’ soccer squad.
So after Perez graduated, went on to college and then aspired to be a soccer coach, he began a journey that would eventually take him home.
Perez coached at Sussex County Community College, then Burlington County College, always with the idea of coming back to Jersey City to teach and coach.
A few years ago, Perez got a job teaching at P.S. 23 in Jersey City and formed a non-profit organization called the Jersey Soccer Alliance.
Last year, Perez took the job as the head coach at his alma mater. Perez had one goal in mind.
“I thought we had to be a little more disciplined,” Perez said. “A lot of the kids just needed guidance, that soccer is a way of life. I saw the quality of the players we had, but they just had a few bad habits.”
The Rams won only five games during Perez’s first season.
“But little by little, they started to realize what they were doing,” Perez said. “I knew we could improve. We had some good players coming in. I knew we could be stronger.”
But Perez could have never imagined how much the Rams would improve in just one year.
The Rams are currently undefeated in 2014, winning all seven of their games. Their latest game was an offensive juggernaut showing against McNair Academic, winning 7-2.
The Rams won five times in all of 2013. They have seven wins without a setback this season. It’s an improvement of epic proportions.
Sure, Dickinson hasn’t faced the premier teams in the Hudson County Interscholastic League yet, like Kearny and St. Peter’s Prep.
But they have faced seven opponents and defeated all seven.
“I’m very proud of the players,” Perez said. “Not only is there a change in wins and losses, but there has been a change in their personality, in their discipline. I’m happier about that than anything, happier than the wins.”
Perez then had to stop and laugh.
“The wins are very good as well,” Perez said. “It doesn’t hurt.”
Leading the way for the Rams is senior forward Brandon Gomez. The talented Gomez has already had two games where he scored a three-goal hat trick and added two goals in the win against McNair. Gomez has 11 goals on the season.
“I’m not surprised,” Perez said. “Brandon has gotten bigger and stronger. He’s also faster than last year. I noticed the change early on.”
Gomez also scored an incredible goal from 75 yards out against Union City, a goal of a lifetime.
“He’s really become one of the better players around,” Perez said. “He plays hard every game.”
Another talented player is freshman Frank Oramas, a midfielder who Perez calls, “Little Messi,” after the world’s top player Lionel Messi from Argentina who plays for FC Barcelona.
“He’s very talented,” Perez said. “It’s hard to find a freshman with that much experience. He has been making some crazy moves.”
Oramas stands out on the field because of his long flowing locks, but he’s also brilliant with the ball. He had one goal and three assists in the win over McNair and now has four goals and 11 assists on the season.
Sophomore Luis Laing is another standout midfielder. Laing, the younger brother of former Dickinson soccer great Jason Laing, has been outstanding as well. He scored two goals in the win over McNair.
“He’s been doing great things for us,” Perez said. “He works very hard every game, every practice. He’s one of our main players.”
Perez likes utilizing five players in the midfield to capitalize on his team’s speed and ability with the ball.
Another midfielder is Achraf Sodki, who missed most of last season after undergoing facial surgery.
“He’s really surprised me,” Perez said. “He’s really improved a lot.”
Senior Theophilous Sanoh is another standout midfielder.
“He’s one of the top players we have,” Perez said. “He’s been batting migraines and hasn’t been cleared to play. But when he’s back, he’s an excellent player.”
Senior Jose Salazar is the team’s top playmaker.
“He wears No. 10 for a reason,” said Perez, mentioning that Salazar dons the uniform numeral reserved for the top center midfielders. “He’s our creator. He has great connections with the rest of the midfielders.”
The Rams’ backline features a host of returning players.
Seniors Mike Velasquez, Jaime Moreno, Malik Diau and Johnny Roman all have experience. Sophomore Alex Garcia also sees time along the backline.
“I think we actually found chemistry back there,” Perez said. “I don’t think it’s so much about having experience. I was looking for chemistry first. They know how to get along and act like leaders.”
The goalkeeping duties are being shared by junior Adam Cassidy and sophomore Aldahir Kazun. One plays one game and then the other steps in. Cassidy made some solid saves in the win over McNair.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Perez said of the two goalkeepers. “They divide the time evenly. We go game to game with them and I’m happy with that. It’s definitely the fairest way to do it.”
The Rams also have Jeron Emmanuel at forward. Emmanuel is another senior.
Perez is assisted by another former Ram standout Nestor Rigail, who played with Perez in the early 2000s.
It appears as if the Rams have all matured at the right time. Gaining seven straight wins to start the season, a year after winning just five games, is proof of that.
“I think we have a good chance to compete,” Perez said. “We have some good players. We’re all united in this, like a big, happy family. We do have a lot of seniors and that helps. I think it’s a plus having all these kids who had been through it all.”
No one knows where the rest of the season will go, but for now, the resurgence of the Rams has been quite remarkable.
“We’re working at it,” Perez said. “I look forward to the rest of the season.”
So should everyone who follows Dickinson soccer.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.
You can also read Jim’s blog at www.jimhaguesports.blogspot.com.