Seton Hall Prep soccer team raises record to 13-1-1, clinches SEC-American Division title

WEST ORANGE, NJ (corrected Monday Oct. 17, 9:48 a.m.) – The Seton Hall Prep varsity soccer team won both of its scheduled games last week to raise its ecord to 13-1-1 on the season.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Pirates traveled to Fortunato Field in Montclair and defeated Montclair, 3-2, in double overtime in a very exciting game. SHP opened the scoring with 31:59 left in the first half on a goal by senior midfielder Brian Tevlin, assisted by senior defenseman James Reardon.

Montclair tied the score at 1-1 just :49 later. The score remained the same until with 24:53 left in the second half when senior forward Mason Toye scored on assists by junior midfielder Michael Pavick and Tevlin.

Montclair knotted the score at 2-2 with 2:12 remaining in regulation. The score was still tied when with :54 left in the second overtime period, Tevlin put in a rebound of a shot by senior forward Ryan Vazquez to give SHP the victory. Toye also assisted on the goal.

With this victory, SHP captured the Super Essex Conference-American Division title for the first time since 2013 and the fifth in the eight years of the league’s existence.

On Thursday, the Pirates traveled to Centennial Field in Verona and defeated Verona, 2-1. Toye opened the score with 16:30 left in the first half on an assist by junior midfielder Nick Kriak, who is a West Orange resident. Toye then increased the score to 2-0 with 4:40 left on an assist by Vazquez. Verona scored on a penalty kick in the second half. SHP outshot Verona, 6-1.

Following their non-league game at Lincoln Park in Jersey City on Tuesday night, Oct. 18, against Dickinson of Jersey City, the Pirates will host Bloomfield on Wednesday night, Oct. 19, in the first round of the 43rd Essex County Tournament at Livingston High School at 7 p.m. SHP is the top seed and defending champion. Bloomfield is the No. 17 seed.

The Pirates are ranked in the following polls:

Topdrawersoccer.com: New Jersey: No. 4. East Region: No. 4. National: No. 16.

USA Today/NSCAA: Region III: No. 15.

News 12 Varsity: New Jersey: No. 5. Tri-State: No. 8.

NJ.com: New Jersey Top 20: No. 2. Non-Public: No. 2. Super Essex Conference: No. 1.