There is a simple method on how to develop friendships and understanding your fellow students.
And the players who comprise the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Unified soccer team have practiced this procedure every day this autumn.
Jessica Decker, who is the head coach for the Bridgewater-Raritan Unified soccer squad, explained the “team’s motto and core principle.”
“Training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding,” Ms. Decker stated.
Ms. Decker, who is an English/Special Education Teacher at the high school, and Rhonda Fishburn, the assistant coach and a Special Education Teacher, have witnessed a highly productive growth of this team of students who make up a roster from the high school’s PE Partners, a Physical Education class where students with developmental disabilities are partnered with students without disabilities.
“We have seen the development of leadership in every opportunity on and off the field,’ Ms. Decker said. “The players are working together, and we see the growth of team chemistry and camaraderie.”
Ms. Decker continued with her positive assessment of this tight-knit group.
“We see peer partners and unified athletes sitting together on the bus talking, listening to music and eating snacks together.”
And they play quite well together as one team, too.
“We are scoring lots of goals. In four games, we have scored 24 goals from 10 different players,” Ms. Decker reported.. “The team is building momentum and creating incredible bonds.”
Hailey Bender, a junior, was thrilled to play soccer for the second straight season.
“I love being a member. You meet new people and it is an amazing opportunity to help your fellow students,” Hailey said. “I was so happy to come back.”
Nine Cerqueira-Tarakji, a junior, and freshman Logan Seavey are playing in their rookie season.
“I enjoy playing soccer, and I think it is great to see all of the kids happy,” Nina shared.
Logan earned his first taste of playing unified sports when he competed for the Basketball Buddies program at the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School.
“I was happy to be able to join, and it is a lot of fun and rewarding,” Logan said.
Bridgewater-Raritan served as the gracious host when it played Ridge High School on Tuesday, October 14, at the Municipal Soccer Field across the street from Basilone Memorial Field.
For the remainder of the season, Bridgewater-Raritan has two matchups scheduled with Hillsborough High School—Wednesday, October 22, in Hillsborough and Tuesday, October 28, at Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s 1000 Building Turf Field.
A tentative game with Summit High School at a date and site to be determined is also in the works.
So far this fall, Ms. Decker is proud of what she has seen.
“When not on the field, they are on the sideline cheering on their team.”
“That is what Unified Sports is all about.”
Here is the Bridgewater-Raritan High School 2025 Unified Soccer roster
Peer Athletes:
Mikayla Abraham
Hailey Baron
Hailey Bender
Madeline Brown
Kaylee Cerbone
Nina Cerqueira-Tarakji
Elle Chomko
Merah DeRosa
Allyson Dobkin
Basmala Hassan
Adam Pear
Maryia Rabkova
Rebecca Ribeiro
Logan Seavey
Joseph Stankiewicz
Milena Zaranski
Unified Athletes:
Pranav Bhagirath
Kyle Cosenza
Agil Dinesh
Giovanni Fuentes
Nicholas Lloyd
Dan Oldham
Elton Ramirez
Sarah Rashid
Rishi Thoppay
Matt Bui