WAYNE, NJ (updated Friday Nov. 11, 11:55 a.m.) – The second-seeded Seton Hall Prep varsity soccer team won its sixth NJSIAA Non-Public “A” North Jersey State Tournament title and first since 2009, defeating fourth-seeded Delbarton, 5-3, in penalty kicks after a 2-2 double overtime tie on Thursday night, Nov. 10, at Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne.
With this victory, SHP (19-2-2 record) also defeated Delbarton for the first time since 2007.
SHP will now travel to Kean University in Union to take on Christian Brothers Academy on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Non-Public “A” final. SHP will be going for its third Non-Public “A” title. The other titles came in 2009 – a 1-0 win over Christian Brothers Academy and 2007 – a 2-0 win over CBA. SHP’s other appearances in the final were 1975, 1977, 2005, 2007, and 2009.
SHP opened the scoring with 6:23 left in the first half when senior midfielder Adam Ned ripped a screaming shot that bounced off of the crossbar and ricocheted right to junior midfielder Michael Pavick, who headed it home. SHP extended the lead to 2-0 with 12:30 left in the second half when junior midfielder/West Orange resident Nick Krik sent a pass to senior forward Mason Toye, who dribbled past a defender and beat the Delbarton goal with a sliding shot.
Delbarton tied the match at 2-2 with two goals within :42 seconds. The score remained tied 2-2 through the end of regulation and the two overtime periods. The penalty kick scorers for SHP in order were Toye, senior defenseman James Reardon, Kriak, senior forward Ryan Vazquez, and Ned.
Following the match, Ned said about his winning penalty kick, “I was 100 percent focused. The team did not want to go through another heartbreaking loss to Delbarton.” SHP had lost to Delbarton in the state tournament in 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2011. Pavick added about his goal, “It was an amazing shot by Ned. When the ball came to me, I knew that I had to score and I did.”
Toye said about the match, “It was a huge shock when Delbarton tied the score at 2-2 but we tried to persevere. We tried to win it in regulation with a lot of pressure and also in overtime. When it went to penalty kicks, we were very confident, positive and got the victory.”
SHP sophomore goalie Liam Bertrand said, “When we gave up those two goals, our seniors did a great job and settled everyone down. A couple of saves I made were lucky and in PK’s, sometimes the post is your best friend.”
About the victory, SHP head coach Marty Berman said, “It’s been a while and it feels unbelievable. The SHP crowd, students, parents and administration were outstanding. I wish every academy player everywhere can see what they are missing. I am not saying that high school soccer is better than Academy, but you can’t beat this experience.”
About CBA, Berman said, “We have seen them twice and they are big, strong, physical, and technical. It will be a challenge and we will be up for it.”
Seton Hall Prep soccer team captures Non-Public ‘A’ North Jersey state title with penalty kick shootout win over Delbarton added by Jeff Goldberg on
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