Nutley HS boys’ soccer team defeats Newark Tech to advance in ECT

NUTLEY, NJ (updated Wednesday Oct. 18, 11:58 a.m.) – The 13th-seeded Nutley High School varsity boys’ soccer team defeated 20th-seeded Newark Tech, 1-0, in the second preliminary round of the Essex County Tournament on Oct. 17 at Father Glotzbach Field.

The game was scoreless the entire first half, even though the Raiders had plenty of opportunities on net. Early in the second half, senior captain Ilya Udalov was able to score a goal inside the 18-yard box. This was Ilya’s sixth goal of the season. Junior Brandon Syto made 10 saves in net, and was able to keep the clean sheet.

The Raiders, who improved to 6-9, will visit fourth-seeded West Orange in the first round on Oct. 19. The winner will meet the winner between No. 12 seed Verona and No. 5 seed Montclair Kimberley Academy in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Oct. 21.

In the previous day, the Raiders defeated Barringer, 5-0, in Newark.

Junior Garrett Groeling led the team in goals with two goals in the first half. Josue Maldonado was able to score his first goal of the season. Senior captain Matt Scorsone found the back of the net off of a header, and JP Maruri also scored a goal for the Raiders. Groeling (2), Udalov (1), Dan Caraballo (1), and Abhineet Jain (1) were all able to record assists. Junior Christian Torres led the team in saves with six, while Syto made four saves.

ESSEX COUNTY TOURNAMENT

Second preliminary round

(17) Central defeated (16) Science Park, 4-1

(12) Verona defeated (21) Technology, 3-1

(13) Nutley defeated (20) Newark Tech, 1-0

(15) Belleville defeated (18) Irvington, 3-1

(11) Livingston defeated (22) North 13th. St. Tech, 7-0

(14) Bloomfield defeated (19) Orange, 4-1

First round

(17) Central at (1) Seton Hall Prep

(9) Columbia at (8) West Essex

(12) Verona at (5) Montclair Kimberley Academy