SHP senior Drew Ligotti kicks the ball in front of WOHS senior Ari Rosu, No. 4.
WEST ORANGE, NJ — The Seton Hall Prep soccer team raised its record to 15-0-1 by going 2-0 last week.
With their victories, the Pirates captured their eighth Super Essex Conference–American Division title in the 13 years of the conference.
On Monday, Oct. 18, the Pirates traveled to the Ironbound Recreation Center in Newark to take on East Side and defeated the Red Raiders, 2-1. Trailing 1-0 late in the first half, Seton Hall tied the score on a goal by senior Drew Ligotti on assists by senior Edward Zazzali and junior Joaquin Niehenke with 1:20 left. In the second half, they took a 2-1 lead on a goal by Niehenke on assists by senior Brian Sheehan and senior Zaiden James with 24:39 left.
West Orange High School came to Brendan P. Tevlin Memorial Field in West Orange on Wednesday, Oct. 20. The Pirates took a 1-0 lead with 5:30 left in the first half on a goal by junior Luca Chirichiello on assists by junior Karan Chauhan and sophomore Eddie Krupski. Senior goalie Aidan Batista made the lead stand up with four saves and an outstanding save on a penalty kick with 10 minutes remaining in the second half.
Following the match, SHP head coach Marty Berman was asked about Batista’s play this season. “I was really happy for Aidan because he has worked so hard for three years, even when he was just a backup to Tomas Hut. It is great to see him reap the rewards this year for all his hard work and dedication to his craft. It is also especially sweet to see him follow in the footsteps of his father, Art Batista, who was our all-state goalie in 1989. The elder Batista stoned a nationally ranked Columbia team one day at Cameron Field in South Orange, and Aidan’s play today was certainly reminiscent of that effort.”
Berman also commented on capturing the division title. “It is really rewarding to win the SEC– American Division title because I think it is the most competitive conference in the state. Any one of four teams could have won it this year and there is never a day off or easy game in our league. To get through our division schedule with only one tie as a blemish is a great accomplishment for our boys, and the eighth title is a great testament to the consistent excellence of our soccer program.”
The Pirates will host Bloomfield this week to close out their regular season schedule and will be looking forward to competing in the NJSIAA Non-Public A North state tournament.
Photo Courtesy of Rich Morris/SHP
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