Pirates rejoice after winning the state title
UNION — Lucas Ross, a junior, headed in a Sal Vito serve with 9:26 left in the second overtime to give the Seton Hall Prep soccer team a dramatic 1-0 win over St. Augustine in the Non Public “A” State final at Kean University’s Alumni Field on Sunday, Nov. 10.
The play started when senior Seba Niehenke passed it to Vito (senior) who served it into the box and Ross out-jumped St. Augustine goalie Anthony Libero at the near post. It was Ross’ seventh goal of the state tournament and 25th of the season.
Following the match, Ross said, “This is the most important goal I’ve ever scored. It’s the best feeling in the world to do this with all my brothers. I am so happy that this happened.”
This is Seton Hall’s third overall state title. The others were in 2007 and 2009.
Their final record for this season is an outstanding 22-1-1.
Senior co-captain Aidan Dunphy said, “This is exactly how I wanted to go out. This is a great group of guys. This was our dream all season and we made our dream into a reality.”
Senior Jason Pereira said, “This is the best feeling that anyone could ever have winning a state title.”
Junior goalie Tomas Hut made four saves to record the team’s 20th shutout and his 10th shutout of the season. Hut said, “The team clean sheet record means so much to me. We set this goal of a state title at the beginning of the season and we finally accomplished it.”
Following the victory, SHP head coach Marty Berman, in his 34th year at the helm, said, “In the preseason I told the team that I thought we had the players and ability to win it all. This was our year to do it and go for it. We won it all, county, conference and state titles. Their hard work came to fruition. This is unbelievable and it couldn’t happen to a better group of kids.”
The Pirates reached the state finals by defeating Don Bosco Prep, 1-0, and Pingry, 5-3.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the Non-Public “A” North semifinals, Ross scored with 35:00 left in the second half from six yards out on a pass from Chris Angermund to secure the victory over sixth-seeded Don Bosco Prep.
In the Non-Public “A” North final on Thursday, Nov. 7, in a wild match, Ross scored three goals while Dunphy and Shane Farrell also scored in the win over fourth-seeded Pingry. Vito, Ross, Dunphy and Niehenke all had assists. SHP was the No. 1 seed.
Following the match, Berman said, “I was disappointed that the state changed the tournament format to the higher-seeded team hosting the North final, but this year it is working in our favor. We are blessed to have Pirate Nation and our administration for supporting our team.”
The Pirates are ranked in the following polls:
Topdrawersoccer.com: No. 21 in Fab 50; No. 7 in East Region, No. 4 in New Jersey. USA TODAY/United Soccer Coaches: Also receiving votes in the Super 25/National. No. 6 in Region III. Star-Ledger: No. 2 in New Jersey, No. 1 in Non-Public Schools, No. 1 in Super Essex Conference.
Photos by Rich Morris/Courtesy of SHP
Seton Hall Prep vs. St. Augustine, Non-Public “A” State final, at Kean University.
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