As they had so many times this season, the Sparta High School boys soccer team went out of regulation with the score knotted. The Spartans have displayed a scrappy attitude throughout the entire fall 2006 campaign. After winning many close games, surviving multiple overtime periods and even thrilling the fans with rousing penalty kick victories, the Sparta boys ran out of steam against the Green Raiders, falling 2-1 to Ramapo in overtime of the North 1, Group III final. Facing Ramapo was something the Spartans anticipated early on. “We are in a very difficult section,” Sparta head coach Andrew Lowery said. “We know that in the playoffs you have to face a team like Ramapo. And they are tough. They are a tough team.” Coach Lowery is no stranger to the Green Raiders, in his fifteen year coaching career, Ramapo has knocked the Spartans out of the playoffs in every sectional meeting they have, save Sparta’s one victory in 1995. As was the style this season, the Spartans dominated ball possession throughout the game, but just couldn’t find a way to come out on top. Ramapo threatened in overtime when they fired a throw-in that went directly into the net. After some deliberating from the officials, the goal was disallowed and a re-throw was granted. Ramapo fired another ball into a scramble at the goal mouth and Green Raider Nadar Saadawi headed the game winner into net.