By: Rich Fisher
Missing a championship by one game is painful. Missing it by one goal is doubly painful. Missing it by one goal twice is downright excruciating.
Unfortunately, it was the fate of Monroe High’s boys soccer team last week.
OK, so the Falcons did not defeat every team they had to in a tournament, so they can not officially be called champions by either the Greater Middlesex Conference or the NJSIAA.
But don’t anyone dare not call these players champions.
Monroe suffered two heart-wrenching, gut-kicking defeats within three days, losing to Hopewell Valley in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Tournament on Friday, and losing to North Brunswick in the GMC tournament on Sunday.
Both games were lost by one goal. The HoVal loss came with five seconds left in the first overtime. Dentists in town are making a fortune due to all the teeth gnashing that has gone on among the Falcons and their faithful.
But as bad and as frustrated as these players feel, they should experience the same amount of pride and satisfaction if not more once they distance themselves from the losses and look back upon the 2005 season.
Not only was Monroe an outstanding soccer team, but collectively, it was an outstanding group.
These were guys who would play a game after school, then load up trucks and deliver food that they collected, to a local food bank. They would go to other events at the high school, and do more charity work. They would spend time in hospitals.
They were gentlemen. They had to worry about schoolwork, practice, dating (or lack thereof, if you’re like some of us were), games, socializing and spending time with their family. And they extended the always-busy schedule of a modern-day teenager to reach out to others.
That is what makes this team special. That is what it should be remembered for.
Sure, it was better than every team but one in CJ III and in the GMC. And yes, you have to win that final game to officially be called the champ.
But there are a heck of a lot of people in this area who are better off, because this group of talented players followed the lead of coach Steve MacKenzie and some very determined soccer moms.
They were a team on and off the field. On the field they tried to beat people. Off it, they tried to help them.
You made your school, your parents and your towns proud, boys.
What happened last weekend can never diminish that.
And in case anyone hasn’t noticed, this column has been filled with sappy cliches that you hear all the time, and that we’ve been told never to resort to ever since Journalism 101.
But they had to be used, because they truly apply to this bunch of players.
As does the word "champion". . . in every way possible.

