Putting up his Dukes

Woodstown’s Ayars commits to play college soccer at RCSJ-Cumberland, picks Dukes over system rival

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

Bryce Ayars is always up for a good rivalry. He played in one of the best during his high school career at Woodstown and he’s about to become part of another now that he’s committed to playing his college soccer at RCSJ-Cumberland.

The Wolverines senior confirmed his commitment Friday night after several weeks wrestling with his choices. He chose the Dukes over their RCSJ system rival Gloucester, a decision that is bound to heighten the experience even more when the teams play the next two years.

“There’s always a pretty heated rivalry between the two,” Ayars said. “You know me, I’m always ready for a good rivalry with my past experience with Schalick, so I’m looking forward to that next big rivalry in my career.

“It’s definitely going to be a heated game. It’s something I’m looking forward to, just being out there on the pitch, going against another great team, to see who comes out on top. I’ve always loved the intensity in those games, no matter if we won or lost. Having that intensity is just something you can’t take for granted. You’ve just got to enjoy every minute of it.”

Ayars was impressed with the consistent communication the Dukes had with him throughout the season. He watched the game with Gloucester during the season and although the Dukes lost, he was impressed with the way they played. 

Once he decided he was going to one of the RCSJs, the final decision came down to “what program would fit me better and which one can help me develop into the player I want to be and take my talent to the next level after these two years.”

Ayars was a two-way threat for the Wolverines and that’s what the Dukes like in him. He controlled the game from his center back position, but became a goal scorer this past season.

He scored a team- and career-high 17 goals this year, 27 over the last two seasons, and finished his four-year career with 95 points. The Wolverines were 19-2-1 the last two seasons when Ayars scored a goal.

He was a first-team Tri-County Diamond Division pick and played in the TCC-Colonial, South Jersey and All-State all-star games.

“I think I played to the best I could, taking a big leap from my junior to senior year,” he said. “Being able to score goals and getting assists doesn’t just help me but helps the team. I feel like I’d done everything I could for the team and it just didn’t go the way I wanted to in the playoffs.”

Ayars was expected to sign and send a pledge of commitment to Cumberland Saturday. The Dukes have a signing day scheduled in March, which will make it official, and Woodstown will celebrate the achievement with all their college signees in June.