VOTE: Which HS soccer rivalry game are you most excited for in 2022?
We've made our picks. Now it's your turn to choose the best.
Earlier this month, we went though the soccer games we're looking forward to in North Jersey this season.
Take a look at our list of rivalry matches and pick the one you're most excited about in our poll at the bottom. Voting closes at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Don Bosco at Bergen Catholic
Boys – Sept. 8
What better way to kick off the 2022 season than an Opening Day tilt between North Jersey’s most storied rivals?
Don Bosco is looking to hold on to bragging rights after winning the Big North United last year in coach Roy Nygren’s return. The Ironmen have won four of the last five in the series, having swept Bergen Catholic last year for the first time since 2014.
Ridgewood at Ramapo
Girls – Sept. 15
It’s always a big deal when these two programs step onto the field.
Ramapo beat Ridgewood in the 2019 Bergen County final, but the Maroons returned the favor in the championship round a year ago. The rematch comes at a pivotal point as both teams will be heavily tested in the first two weeks.
Old Tappan at Pascack Valley
Boys – Sept. 15
The Panthers were last seen as the road warriors of the 2021 season, winning three games outside of Hillsdale en route to their first sectional title.
What will Pascack Valley do for an encore after one of the most unlikely postseason runs? The first meeting against Old Tappan could give us some clues. The Golden Knights have won the last two Big North National championships.
Cresskill at Waldwick
Boys – Sept. 19
Old-timers may see neighboring Midland Park as the Warriors’ true rival. It’s clear, though, that the recent battles with Cresskill have been feistier on the field and between the sidelines.
That’s what happens after playing nine times over the last three years, including three postseason faceoffs. The closest game for Waldwick during last year’s state championship run came in the third round with a 1-0 win over Cresskill.
Ramsey at Mahwah
Girls – Sept. 20
This rivalry checks all the boxes from proximity to pedigree and league affiliation.
The next-door neighbors from the Big North Patriot have combined to win four sectional titles in the last six years: Mahwah (2016) and Ramsey (2018, 2019, 2020).
Wayne Valley at Wayne Hills
Girls – Sept. 20
You could argue that the Battle of Wayne has never been better. It’s the team that finished No. 1 in North Jersey last year (Wayne Valley) against maybe the best player in the area (forward Sophia Bradley).
Surely, the Indians will have this game circled after beating their neighbors in the Passaic County final and again on a jaw-dropping, last-second shot in the sectional tournament.
Northern Highlands at Ramapo
Boys – Sept. 20
How dominant have the Big North Freedom programs been on the pitch? Either Ramapo or Northern Highlands has finished No. 1 in North Jersey in seven of the last 10 seasons. In fact, both teams have found themselves on national rankings at various points with Northern Highlands losing twice over the 2013 and 2014 seasons (winning its first state title in the former) and Ramapo going unbeaten in 2016.
Immaculate Heart at DePaul
Girls – Sept. 28
It’s unusual to see two state champions in one division, but that’s the case this year in the Big North United. Don’t anticipate much of a drop-off either, with the leading scorers back on both sides (DePaul’s Tami Adedeji and IHA’s Caitlin Forshay).
DePaul has gotten the upper hand of late by winning the last five meetings, including four by a single goal. Every good rivalry needs a classic showdown and the 2019 Non-Public A North final (won by the Spartans in double overtime) is the moment that took this one to another level.
Old Tappan at Demarest
Girls – Sept. 28
This could be a big season for the Golden Knights after graduating only five goals from the reigning Big North National champions. One of the top teams standing in their way is Demarest and new coach Jaclyn Boselli.
Adding intrigue to this game is the fact that Old Tappan reached the Bergen quarterfinals last year by beating Demarest in penalty kicks.
Clifton at Kennedy
Boys – Sept. 28
It’s a showdown between the old guard and the new kids in town.
Clifton has won the Passaic County tournament more than anyone, adding title No. 22 last year at Kennedy’s expense. The Knights still went on to have their first winning season in more than a decade on the heels of a breakthrough 2020 campaign. Kennedy can prove it has staying power with a win here.
Becton vs. Wood-Ridge
Boys – Oct. 10 at Red Bull Arena
The Route 17 rivals head down to Harrison for the first Bergen County soccer game inside the 25,000-seat park.
Wood-Ridge was originally scheduled to face Hasbrouck Heights in this game, but ends up facing another opponent from the NJIC Meadowlands.
Northern Highlands at Ramapo
Girls – Oct. 11
No one has dominated the Bergen County girls soccer scene like Northern Highlands and Ramapo, which have loaded up the banner with a combined 28 BCT titles.
The battles between them are tense, technical and often unpredictable.
Coach Tara Madigan’s Highlanders stunned Ramapo in the sectional quarterfinals last fall after two blowout losses in the regular season.
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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: VOTE: What North Jersey soccer rivalry are you most excited for?
