Boys soccer team honors hometown hero

Jaimie Smith, Sports Writer|September 29, 2015

Kyle McManus dribbling the ball towards the goal.

Losing someone is always tough, but losing someone as special as Zack Latteri is even tougher.

After battling leukemia for five years, Latteri, who had just finished his freshman year, passed away on July 16. However, Latteri was so much more than just a face, so much more than just a freshman student. He was brave, he was courageous, and he loved Pascack Valley.

Latteri never gave up, and that’s what the Pascack Valley boys soccer did last night in its game against Northern Highlands. The game was played at home, and was held in honor of Latteri. Orange t-shirts were sold and donations benefitted the Zack Latteri Scholarship Fund; the crowds of fans were covered in orange, from head to toe, cheering loud for the home team. The Pascack Valley community came together as one, to remember, to love, and to support.

With goals by Michael Lin and Ryan Miller, the game against Northern Highlands (ranked No. 9 in NorthJersey.com’s Top 20 rankings) was definitely one of the most intense match-ups this season. Despite Highlands’ tough offense and defense, the Indians managed to play an amazing game, losing by one goal, 3-2, in double overtime.

Michael Lin scored a goal in the first half of the game, with an assist by senior captain Kyle McManus. It was not until Northern Highlands scored two goals in a row that Ryan Miller, one of the standout players for the Indians, came in and tied up the game, sending it to overtime. Starting goalie, Josh Ulin, also played phenomenally, making a few great saves that made the crowd go crazy.

While the Indians may have lost this game, all players played their hearts out, most importantly in honor of Zack Latteri. We all know he was watching down on that game, and was proud, no matter what the score was.

This week: The Indians will be facing Hackensack, at home this Thursday.