There was more to it than scoring goals this fall during the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Unified Soccer Team’s season.
This energetic team is made up of students from the high school’s PE Partners, a Physical Education class in which students with developmental disabilities are partnered with students without disabilities.
This lively unit of friends who have merged into a unified team is guided by Coach Jessica Decker, an English/Special Education Teacher at the high school, and Assistant Coach Rhonda Spencer, a Special Education Teacher at the high school.
Coach Decker provided her summary of what was an enjoyable season.
“The 2026 Unified Soccer season was a tremendous success for Bridgewater-Raritan High School. Throughout the season, our student-athletes demonstrated teamwork, sportsmanship, commitment, and an outstanding spirit of inclusion”.
Coach Decker admired the inspiration that the players shared.
“Our players consistently supported one another, communicated on the field, and worked together toward a common goal. Each athlete contributed to the team's success, creating an environment where everyone had an opportunity to participate, develop their skills, and experience the excitement of competition.”
Bridgewater-Raritan closed the 2026 season with an offensive outburst against Hillsborough High School on Tuesday, October 27. Bridgewater-Raeitan pumped in 20 goals to put a fine finishing touch on the season,
“One of the highlights of the season was the team's incredible 20-goal performance in our final game against Hillsborough High School,” Coach Decker said.
But the theme and makeup of this team was not the amount of goals that were fired into the net, but the camaraderie that was alive all fall.
“While the results on the scoreboard were exciting, the greatest accomplishments were the friendships, confidence, cooperation, and sense of belonging that developed throughout the season,” Coach Decker stated.
Coach Decker will forever cherish the 2026 season.
“It was a privilege to coach such an enthusiastic and dedicated group of student-athletes. The 2026 season was a wonderful example of what Unified Sports represents: bringing students together through athletics, celebrating individual strengths, and demonstrating that teamwork and inclusion make a difference both on and off the field,” Coach Decker revealed.
She closed by looking at the future.
“We are incredibly proud of our players and grateful to everyone who supported the team throughout the season. We look forward to building on this success next year!”