Rutherford HS

By edward kensik
Correspondent – South Bergenite

Rutherford’s boys soccer team made up for lost time and was able to get into the state playoffs.

Bulldogs head coach Jeff Randazzo said winning four out of the last five games as of last week was able to give them a 7-6 record (the first 13 games count toward the state playoff seedings) and enough power points to qualify for the Group 2 North 2 state sectional.

Rutherford though dropped to 7-7 after falling 3-1 to NJIC Colonial Division title holder, Garfield, on Thursday at Tryon Field.

In the hypercompetitive section it turned out that Rutherford needed to have an over-.500 record. Until a few years ago, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association required that teams needed to have at least a .500 record for most sports.

“We’re in the situation where we were not going to win the league,” said Randazzo before facing a tough Garfield team on Thursday that was Rutherford’s senior night. “We’ve qualified for the state tournament and are hoping to knock off some top teams in the state

– See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/boys-soccer/winning-4-of-last-5-games-bulldogs-make-it-to-state-playoffs-1.1119108#sthash.s6rOjkGq.dpuf