Nutley HS boys’ soccer team loses 1-0 heartbreaker to West Essex in ECT first round

NUTLEY, NJ – The Nutley High School boys’ varsity soccer team, seeded ninth, lost a tough 1-0 decision to eighth-seeded West Essex in the first round of the Essex County Tournament on Oct. 19 in North Caldwell.

The loss was the team’s sixth in a row to move to a 6-11 record.

NHS fell to Glen Ridge, 2-0, Oct. 8, at the Park Oval.

The Raiders lost to Verona, 3-1, Oct. 11, at home. NHS opened the scoring when senior captain CJ Haddock finished a pass from sophomore Austin Sweeney. Verona answered with three goals in the second half. Sanchez had 10 saves on the night.

NHS fell at Montclair, 6-0, Oct. 13.

The Raiders lost a tough match against West Essex on Oct. 15 at the Park Oval, losing 1-0, on a goal scored in the middle of the second half. Nutley fought valiantly, scoring a goal, but had it disallowed by the referee for a foul.

Nutley hosted the No. 9-ranked team in state, West Orange, on Oct. 17. Nutley lost, 4-1, but played hard the entire match. Nutley’s lone goal came from senior Sean Bernardo off a throw-in from junior Dan Caraballo. Sanchez and sophomore Brandon Syto combined for nine saves. West Orange improved to 9-1-2 on the season.