WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Seton Hall Prep soccer team raised its record to 16-1-1 on the season and captured their sixth Essex County Tournament title.
On Thursday, Oct. 17, the Pirates traveled to Thomas J. Sellitto Athletic Field at Verona High School for the semifinal round of the 46th ECT against Montclair Kimberley Academy. Jason Pereira, the Providence-bound senior defender, lofted a free kick from 45 yards out into the upper-left corner of the net with 9:31 left in the second half to give the top-seeded Pirates a 1-0 lead and their defense held off MKA for the victory.
The Pirates made their 11th final appearance and it was also their sixth consecutive final appearance. Following the match, Pereira said, “This was great; to score my first goal of the season in the county semifinals was amazing. I could not do this without the help of my teammates. We all play with such heart and we really deserve this victory.”
Tomas Hut, the junior goalie, recorded his seventh clean sheet of the season and made two outstanding saves in the first half on a penalty shot, including the rebound from that shot. “I knew where he was going to go,” said Hut of the penalty shot. “It was great. The fact that it did not go into the back of the net was amazing. I want to keep going with the shutouts and keep those victories coming.”
On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, Oct. 19, the Pirates boarded the bus for Allen “Jake” Jacobson Memorial Field at Livingston HS to take on Montclair in the final. It was Pereira again who set up the winning goal as he ripped a free kick into the box that found the head of Nick Palangio. He sent it towards the goal. The Montclair keeper knocked it away, but Nicolas Sprague was waiting to volley the rebound into the back of the net with 10:03 left in the second half to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead. It was his third goal of the season. Like in the semifinals, the defense held off the Mounties to give Seton Hall Prep the 1-0 victory and the title. It was also their 15th shutout of the season. SHP avenged last year’s loss to Montclair in the ECT final via penalty kicks.
Following the match, Sprague said, “I saw my opportunity and I took it. This goal definitely means the most to me. We worked so hard for this victory and to avenge our loss in the final last year.” SHP head coach Marty Berman said, “This is such a dream team. We can play beautiful soccer. They play for each other, and work hard in every practice. I am so happy for the seniors.” Pereira said, “No matter who scores, we all support each other. This victory means the world to me.”
The Pirates are ranked in the following polls: Topdrawersoccer. com – No. 36-Fab 50 -National, No. 9 East Region, No. 4 New Jersey. USA Today/United Soccer Coaches: No. 9 Region III. Star Ledger – No. 6 – NJ, No. 2 – Non-Public Schools, No. 1 – Super Essex Conference.
Photos by Rich Morris/Courtesy of SHP
SHP vs. Montclair in the ECT final
Seton Hall Prep soccer team captures ECT championship added by Jeff Goldberg on
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