Gov. Livingston Boys Soccer Team Captures 15th Win

(This story written by GL dad Jeff Bamundo)

Governor Livingston gets its 15th win of the season  But this was anything but easy.

The Hightlanders found themselves with two opponents in this one:  A stubborn Summit team that continued to bend but only broke once -- and a cold, almost stubborn rain that wouldn't stop for the whole game.

In a match that saw both teams affected by the slick turf, it was GL who played their possession and probe game that eventually led to a Jeramey Robbins goal off a long crossing ball behind the defense from Anthony Oliveira.  From about 30 yards out, Oliveira picked out Robbins making a long run to the far outside of the Summit defense.  Robbins controlled the ball beautifully, bringing it down for a couple of quick touches before shooting it through Summit GK, Josh Rosen.

A couple of spurned chances -- balls hit over the crossbar from inside the 6 and the 18 -- kept this one uncomfortably close from the point of that 19th minute single goal of the game till the final whistle.

The goalies, Summit's Rosen with 5 and GL's Jon Robbins with 7 saves to their credit, did not look particularly busy in this one.  But each had to stay sharp because every shot could be treacherous, given the wet and always slippery surface.

But before today's match even started, Coach Bruno Somma brought in a souvenir of their efforts thus far in the 2011 Season.  It had been 17 years since Governor Livingston won the Mountain Valley Conference.  Well that streak ended when he walked into the locker room with the MVC Trophy and presented it to his squad.

And the day was also special for another reason.  It was Senior Day for the Highlanders which meant that the eight elder statesmen of this squad got to share a special moment with their parents in a pre-game ceremony during which each Mom was given a rose and had their photos taken with their sons to commemorate the event.

GK Jon and Center Mid Jeramey Robbins, Outside Mid James Lynch, Keeper Matt Peltier, Sweeper Nick Mavrostomos, Center Mid/Forward Louie Marke, Stopper Kyle Morris and Forward Knyck Sutherland have all been key components to an unexpectedly successful 2011 Season - and all will be missed next year.

But this season is hopefully far from over. 

The State Tournament opens up on Tuesday.  And although GL had to wait through multiple changes to find out who they will be playing, it's immaterial to the Highlanders.  They just want it to get started.