GL Boys Soccer Advances to Sectional Final with 2-1 Win

The Highlanders are headed to the NJSIAA state sectional finals, although it was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for fans of the Gov. Livingston boys' soccer team.

For the first time since 1994, when the Highlanders captured the conference, county and state sectional crowns, GL will will play for the hardware on Friday when they face Holmdel, who defeated Delaware Valley 2-1 in overtime.

GL came out with a purpose and quickly took control getting a goal from senior Jeremey Robbins off an assist from Anthony Olivera in the first half to take a 1-0 lead, but Rumson proved they had plenty of fight left.

"We had the better of the play early on, we controlled the game, we were poised, and we scored a real nice goal," said GL head coach Somma. "I thought it would continue the same way, but I think we went into a lull figuring that one goal is gonna do it. They had a PK in the box (which tied the game at 1-1) and then we were tentative, but we came back in the second half, and relaxed a little bit and were able to push forward. We were lucky to get that goal off the keeper's fingers."

That goal came just five minutes into the second half, when Robbins returned the favor, feeding Olivera who found himself open from 8 yards, sending the ball on net which went through the hands of a surprised Rumson keeper.

Then it was up to the defense to hold the lead for the next nail-biting 35 minutes, with keeper Robbins (11 saves) and junior sweeper Michael Bamundo taking control of the troops. It's been that type of chemistry which has helped propel GL, ranked # 17 in the Star-Ledger Top 20, to one of their finest seasons ever.

"We do have the chemistry," Somma said. "We have a lot of guys who understand their role. We have a lot of guys who've been asked to play different positions. It's like whatever we can do for our team, we'll do it. and that's all of them. I couldn't ask for better chemistry on this team."

Now it's one more and the trophy is theirs -- something the Highlanders have been dreaming about the entire season.