WEST ORANGE, NJ (updated Monday Oct. 31, 10:42 p.m.) – The top-seeded and defending champion Seton Hall Prep varsity soccer team defeated Montclair in the semifinals and lost to Newark East Side in the final of the 43rd Essex County Tournament.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, the Pirates traveled to Dr. Keith A. Neigel Field in Millburn for the semifinal round of the ECT. They defeated No. 4 seed Montclair, 2-0. In the first half with 21:57 left, senior forward Mason Toye headed in a cross from senior defenseman James Reardon. Senior forward Ryan Vazquez had the other assist.
In the second half with 28:00 left, Vazquez scored on assists by junior midfielder Nick Kriak and senior midfielder Brian Tevlin. Sophomore goalie Liam Bertrand had two saves as SHP outshot Montclair, 14-2.
SHP qualified for its eighth final and was trying to claim its fifth title and second straight title. They also appeared in their third consecutive final. However, second-seeded seed Newark East Side defeated SHP, 4-0, at Soccer Park at Pittser Field on the campus of Montclair State University on Sunday, Oct. 30. SHP moved to a 17-2-1 record.
The second-seeded Pirates will now set their sight on the state Non-Public North Jersey “A” tournament title. They will open up the state tournament on Thursday, Nov. 3, at Owen T. Carroll Field on the campus of Seton Hall University in South Orange at 3 p.m. against seventh-seeded Don Bosco Prep in the quarterfinals.
The Pirates are ranked in the following polls: Topdrawersoccer.com: New Jersey: No. 7. East Region: No. 8. National: No. 17. News 12 Varsity: New Jersey: No. 3. Tri-State: No. 5. NJ.com: New Jersey Top 20: No. 1. Non-Public: No. 1. Super Essex Conference: No. 1.
Seton Hall Prep soccer team’s bid for second straight ECT title falls short in final added by Jeff Goldberg on
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