It’s so far, so good for the Gov. Livingston boys soccer team.
The Highlanders have shutout its first two opponents and take a 2-0 mark into Thursday’s 4 p.m. game with Arthur L. Johnson in Berkeley Heights.
“I think if we’re able to stay healthy we’ll be fine,” said head coach Bruno Somma. “We have a lot of good players returning and this could be one of our best years in some time.”
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Gov. Livingston finished 8-10-1 a year ago reaching the second round of the Union County Tournament and quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 2 state tournament.
The Highlanders got off to a fine start on Friday, Sept. 9, powering to a 6-0 victory over Rahway. Senior James Lynch had a goal and an assist and junior Julian Light, sophomores Chris Moran and Trevor Bachert and freshmen Mike McKenna and Jonas Halvorsen each added a goal. Senior goalie Jon Robbins turned aside three shots to post the shutout.
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On Monday, Gov. Livingston prevailed over Watchung Hills, 1-0, on a goal by Michael Bamundo. Bamundo headed in a pass from Jeremy Robbins 10 minutes into the second half and Jon Robbins did the rest, making 10 stops to earn his second straight shutout. Senior goalie Matt Peltier will get some playing time as well in net along with Robbins, giving the Highlanders two very capable net-minders.
Junior fullback Torben Halvorsen, who played in the Red Bulls Development Academy, will provide strong defensive support. Light and junior Anthony Oliviera will lead the forward line for Gov. Livingston, which scored just 32 goals a year ago.
Gov. Livingston, which plays in the Mountain Division of the Union County Conference, will also be tested by defending Union County Tournament champion, Westfield, on Sept. 22.
In addition to Watchung Hills, Somma’s charges will also face non-conference foes Madison (Sept. 24), Delaware Valley (Oct. 10) and Linden (Nov. 1).
“The cross-over game with Westfield should be a good test for us,” said Somma, now in his 17th year at the helm. “Games like that and the other non-conference ones should help us prepared for the post-season.”
Gov. Livingston will seek a bit of revenge when it hosts Johnson on Thursday.
A year ago, the Clark school was 3-0 against the Highlanders. The Crusaders won both UCC games, 2-0, and then ousted Gov. Livingston from the state tournament, earning a 1-0 decision.
Johnson also enters Thursday’s contest with a 2-0 mark.
GOV. LIVINGSTON 2011 BOYS SOCCER SCHEDULE Sept. 9: at Rahway (Won, 6-0)
Sept. 12: vs. Watchung Hills (Won, 1-0)
Sept. 15: vs. Johnson, 4
Sept. 20: at Union Catholic, 4
Sept. 22: vs. Westfield, 4
Sept. 24: vs. Madison, 10 a.m.
Sept. 27: at Oratory, 4
Oct. 4: vs. New Providence, 4
Oct. 6: at Summit, 4
Oct. 10: at Delaware Valley, 3:45
Oct. 11: vs. Rahway, 4
Oct. 18: at Johnson, 4
Oct. 21: vs. Oratory, 4
Oct. 24: vs. Dayton, 4
Oct. 25: at New Providence, 4
Oct. 27: vs. Summit, 4
Nov. 1: at Linden, 6:45
Nov. 3: vs. Union Catholic, 4
