West Morris Mendham soccer embarks on a new era
MENDHAM, N.J. — The West Morris Mendham High School boys’ varsity soccer team is embarking on a new era as the 2021 season begins. After the retirement of Coach Russ Raffay, who led the Minutemen for 10 years and has been involved with the program for 20 years, Lindsay Schartner has been promoted to head coach after five years as a boys’ varsity assistant coach. Alyssa Shannon, who has spent the last five years as a girls’ varsity soccer assistant coach, is joining Lindsay’s staff.
Lindsay began her career at Mendham High School in 2007 as a U.S. history teacher and girls’ varsity assistant soccer coach. After coaching the girls for eight seasons, she switched to the boys’ side in 2015.
“Coach Raffay came to me the September after my daughter was born and said he needed help. My first game as an assistant boys’ varsity coach was against my brother, the head coach at Morristown. The assistant I filled in for that day was unable to return, so I stayed on the staff for the remainder of the season, which culminated in a state championship.”
Lindsay has thoroughly enjoyed the move since day one. It was a smooth transition and has worked out well for everyone. She is part of a growing trend that is seeing women successfully coach boys.
“I love the speed of play, the competitiveness. Boys just want to win. If you come in and show them you know the game, that you can teach them, make them better players and people, they can be won over.”
An IB career-related program coordinator at Mendham High School since 2014, Lindsay is concerned with developing the character of the athlete as much as teaching skills and motivating.
“I love the concept of coaching the whole student, the student-athlete. It’s crucial to emphasize the importance of goal setting, proper nutrition, and recovery; to teach the many life lessons sports gives us.”
Lindsay was an accomplished player in high school who was recruited by Division I schools. A broken back towards the end of her senior year, which required back surgery her freshman and sophomore years of college, unfortunately prevented her from playing soccer in college. Yet, it couldn’t extinguish her love of the game, or her desire to coach, which began at the age of 13 while coaching her cousin’s travel team.
When home during her college years, Lindsay continued working at her passion as the coach of a Morristown travel team. After college, as a student-teacher while attending graduate school and substitute teaching in Morristown, Lindsay coached the New Jersey Rangers club team and received her E-level coaching license. She currently has a D-level coaching license and is anticipating receiving her C-license shortly.
Coach Shartner is very excited about the 2021 team.
“The team is looking good. We have a nice core returning, a group of really great kids who are committed to the team. In addition, there are a couple of up-and-coming players from the JV and freshman teams who will make very nice additions.”
Ryan Takayma is a fine example of the commitment and passion many of Lindsay’s players have for the team. He was a starter at center-back as a sophomore, before suffering a neck injury that caused him to miss his junior year.
“Ryan has given the program an incredible amount of support and assistance. He has been a great aid to me on the sideline by keeping statistics and providing great halftime analysis. Plus, he has been working with the goalies, giving them good advice. His leadership by example is one of the reasons he is a captain despite not being able to play,” Coach Shartner said.
Tyler Cilio, the other captain, is a center-forward who is very strong on the ball.
Patrick Cwalinski, a senior, embodies the “soccer is life” sentiment. Usually an offensive center-mid, he played center-back when Ryan was out and picked it up very well; a real team player.
While Coach Shartner concedes it will not be an easy task, she is optimistic about the team’s chances of winning the Group III Championship. The regular season goes until the end of October, followed by states in the first week of November.
Come out and support Mendham soccer and the new varsity coach!
This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.
