GROUP 1SEEDS1-Dayton 2-Technology 3-New Providence 4-Glen Ridge 5-Becton 6-Hoboken 7-North Arlington 8-Palisades Park 9-Weehawken 10-Secaucus 11-Belvidere 12-Whippany Park 13-West Side 14-Brearley 15-Weequahic 16-West Caldwell Tech
NORTH 2, GROUP 1 BRACKET
FAVORITETop-seeded Dayton was the sectional champion last year and is the favorite to repeat. It is more than capable of getting hot and rattled off six straight wins. It has found itself in close games this season and is 6-3 in one-goal games. Chito Jaykwaan and David Tjan are Dayton's leading scorer, but this squad is deep with 10 different goal scorers.
CONTENDERSSecond-seeded Technology headed into Thursday's game against Newark Academy having won two straight and six of its last seven. This squad can light up the scoreboard and has put in four or more goals six times. Dylan Nogueira has led the way with 12 goals and three assists.
Third-seeded New Providence just had a five game winning streak snapped after a tight 2-1 loss to a solid Summit team. This team is heading into state's with a lot of confidence with Devin Mulligan leading the way.
Fourth-seeded Glen Ridge is battle-tested playing in Essex County. It has a statement 3-2 win over West Essex and battled Columbia to a scoreless tie. It also hung tough with Livingston and Newark East Side.
Fifth-seeded Becton has taken its bumps and bruises as it finished the regular season with a 9-8-2 record. Zeyad Aboudonia has proven to be a big-time scorer with 23 goals and nine assists.
Sixth-seeded Hoboken may have lost two straight, but just before that had a three-game winning streak. It has rattled off three-game winning streaks three times this season. Daniel Henson, Victor Martinez and Ewan Sanchez are three scorers that haven proven they can get the job done.
DARK HORSETenth-seeded Secaucus headed into Wednesday's game on a three game winning streak. The streak saw it knock off both Lyndhurst and Ridgefield in 5-0 games. This team can score and has put in three or more goals eight times this season. Gabriel Chaves leads the way with 32 goals and eight assists.
PLAYERS TO WATCHGabriel Chaves, SecaucusZeyad Aboudonia, BectonDaniel Henson, HobokenVictor Martinez, HobokenLucas Pardo-Rea, WeehawkenDylan Jurado, North ArlingtonDylan Nogueira, TechnologyEwan Sanchez, HobokenIdowu James Akinlade, West SideDavid Munoz, Palisades ParkEric McKenna, North ArlingtonAdel Durakovic, Palisades ParkJames Miller, New ProvidenceAndri Barrios, BectonDevin Mulligan, New ProvidenceChito Jaykwaan, DaytonGavin Robertson, Glen RidgeDavid Tjan, DaytonJustin Castaneda, BelvidereJon Saavedra, BectonAlex McLeanas, Whippany ParkKevin Sabadin, TechnologyCole Kebea, Dayton
PROJECTED SECTIONAL FINAL 1-Dayton vs. 3-New Providence
Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey JournalGROUP 2SEEDS 1-Harrison 2-Hackettstown 3-Bernards 4-Madison5-Rutherford 6-Lyndhurst 7-Newark Tech 8-McNair 9-Fort Lee 10-Morris Tech 11-Caldwell 12-Verona 13-Newark Central 14-Hanover Park15-Science Park 16-Parsippany
NORTH 2, GROUP 2 BRACKET
FAVORITETop-seeded Harrison fell to Union City in the Hudson County Tournament final after picking up a statement win over defending HCT and Group 4 champion Kearny. Despite two losses to Dwight-Englewood, Harrison was flawless against NJIC competition with 11 wins. Senior forward Omar Sowe is one of the top players in the state and he will carry Harrison as far as he can.
CONTENDERSSecond-seeded Hackettstown has won three straight games and five of its last six. During the streak it picked up a statement victory of Hunterdon Central in the H/W/S semifinals. From September through October, Hackettstown strung together seven straight wins. Colby Clark (9 g., 2 a.) and Shane Davies (9 g., 10 a.) have spearheaded Hackettstown's efforts.
Third-seeded Bernards is back and at full form. It headed into Thursday's game against Somerville on a three-game skid. Prior to that it had won seven straight games and opened the year with four consecutive wins. Gilberto Ferreira leads the charge for Bernards with 10 goals and five assists.
Fourth-seeded Madison is on a roll and headed into Thursday's game against Summit on a five-game winning streak and having won 12 of its last 13 games. Lucas DiGiacomo (14 g., 12 a.) and Brendan Mulcahy (16 g., 7 a.) lead Madison's offense.
Fifth-seeded Rutherford has gone 4-0-2 in its last six games and is 6-1-3 in its last 10 games. Jason Alves has scored 11 goals and is the engine that drives Rutherford.
DARK HORSETwelfth-seeded Hanover Park may have just five wins heading into Wednesday's game against Jefferson, but has been in pretty much every game this season. Six of its seven losses have come in one-goal games. If the bounces start to go its way in states, who knows what this team can accomplish.
PLAYERS TO WATCHOmar Sowe, HarrisonBrendan Mulcahy, MadisonLucas DiGiacomo, MadisonIsaac Baker, McNairUmar Abdus-Salaam, Newark TechBryan Cosman, LyndhurstAbraham Lomax, Newark CentralObafemi Olouadara, Newark CentralJason Alves, RutherfordTheophilous Ekow-Mensah, Newark TechPaul Ambarus, Morris TechIan Lee, Morris TechAndrew Stulec, Morris TechAlex Gegechkori, Fort LeeGilberto Ferreira, BernardsShane Davies, HackettstownAngelo Cascio, ParsippanyCarson Filion, CaldwellRJ Alvarez, LyndhurstJake Weber, VeronaKasper Kozdron, Morris TechBrendan Armstrong, MadisonTyler Liuzzi, LyndhurstElliot Dietrich, BernardsJake Lemaire, RutherfordVinny Coccaro, HackettstownEduardo Nelson, HarrisonRyan Pacheco, Hanover Park
PROJECTED SECTIONAL FINAL 1-Harrison vs. 2-Hackettstown
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance MediaGROUP 3SEEDS1-Irvington 2-Mendham 3-Millburn 4-Ferris 5-Nutley 6-Parsippany Hills7-Somerville 8-Chatham 9-Cliffside Park 10-Cranford 11-Iselin Kennedy 12-Matawan 13-Summit 14-Woodbridge 15-Orange 16-Payne Tech
NORTH 2, GROUP 3 BRACKET
FAVORITEThird-seeded Millburn, No. 11 in the NJ.com Top 20, rode a six-game winning streak into Thursday's night Essex County Tournament semifinal showdown with No. 6 Seton Hall Prep. Down from Group 4, this is Millburn team ready to make some serious noise. This is a deep and dangerous squad with 13 goal scorers this season. Alfie Smith (7 g., 3 a.) and Sam Meyerowitz (3 g., 6 a.) have been on fire of late.
CONTENDERS Top-seeded Irvington showed that is has plenty fight and isn't going to back down when it fell just short of a comeback victory against No. 2 Montclair in the Essex County Tournament first round. After an opening season loss to Orange, Irvington rattled off eight straight wins. Stoichkov Joseph has been the key for Irvington and headed in Thursday's game against Barringer with 20 goals and seven assists.
Second-seeded Mendham is the defending Group 3 champion, but isn't going to have a cakewalk through this bracket with Millburn coming down. It has won two straight since falling to No. 1 Delbarton, 4-0, on Oct. 18. Mendham was stunned by a good Parsippany Hills team in the Morris County Tournament semifinals, 2-0. That loss snapped seven-game winning strike. Senior forward Calvin Ryan has scored 12 goals and has six assists. He will be the key for Mendham again this year.
Fourth-seeded Ferris opened the season with 10 straight wins and won two straight heading into Thursday's game against McNair. Amara Conte, Kevin Mejia and Erasmus Schall lead Ferris' offense and have all reached double-digits in goals.
Fifth-seeded Nutley closed out its regular season with two straight wins and wins in three of its final four games. In the month of October it posted a 7-3 record. Garrett Groeling (16 g., 8 a.) and Jean Paul Maruri (13 g., 9 a.) lead Nutley's offense.
Sixth-seeded Parsippany Hills made some serious noise in the Morris County Tournament. It stunned Dover, Chatham and Mendham to reach the Morris County Tournament final, where it fell to No. 1 Delbarton, 1-0. Corey Katzenberger has stood on his head in goal and will be the X-factor for Par Hills in the state tournament.
Seventh-seeded Somerville reached the Somerset County Tournament semifinals and picked up a nice win over Watchung Hills in the tournament's quarterfinals. It is 5-2 in games decided by one-goal heading into Thursday's game against Bernards. Nolan Quade has led Somerville's attack.
DARK HORSETenth-seeded Cranford certainly went to battle in the Union County Conference and has the battle wounds to prove it. Seven of its 11 losses have come in one-goal games and it has hung tough with schools like Elizabeth and Westfield. With an offense headed by Connor Blazek, Michael Carracino and Drew Patterson this Cranford team could be scary in states.
PLAYERS TO WATCHStoichkov Joseph, IrvingtonGarrett Groeling, NutleyAmara Conte, FerrisKevin Mejia, FerrisErasmus Schall, FerrisJean Paul Maruri, NutleyJuan Restrepo, Parsippany HillsCalvin Ryan, MendhamDrew Patterson, CranfordMarcelo Colonna, MatawanNolan Quade, SomervilleMarvin Monge, Payne TechCainan DaSilva, WoodbridgeRoss Spano, MendhamAlfie Smith, MillburnMohamed Abdelaal, Iselin KennedyOwen Healey, SummitAedan Joel, ChathamMiracle G. Obi, OrangeCorey Katzenberger, Parsippany HillsJulian Franco, SomervilleAndrew Iacovano, CranfordChristian Argueta, Cliffside Park
PROJECTED SECTIONAL FINAL 3-Millburn vs. 5-Nutley
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance MediaGROUP 4
SEEDS1-Scotch Plains-Fanwood 2-Elizabeth3-Watchung Hills 4-Union 5-North Hunterdon 6-Westfield 7-Newark East Side 8-Plainfield 9-Piscataway10-Bridgewater-Raritan 11-Columbia 12-East Orange 13-Bayonne 14-Dickinson 15-Phillipsburg 16-Franklin
NORTH 2, GROUP 4 BRACKET
FAVORITETop-seeded Scotch Plains-Fanwood, No. 5 in the NJ.com Top 20, is going to be coming into this state tournament hungry. It was stunned by Westfield, a team that it defeated twice in the regular season, in the Union County Tournament semifinals in penalty kicks. It rebounded with a 3-1 win over Union City to close out the regular season with a 17-0-2 record. This team will possess you to death and that starts with the play of Michael Ferrara, Alex Ferrara and Owen Murphy in the midfield.
CONTENDERSMuch like Scotch Plains, second-seeded Elizabeth, ranked 17th in the state, will have a chip on its shoulder after falling to No. 16 Union in overtime in the Union County Tournament semifinals. Elizabeth also finished its season on a high note with a 3-2 win over Manalapan. Youkendly Pacius is the team's heart and soul. He spends time at goalkeeper and forward, but when he's up top is a complete game-changer.
Third-seeded Watchung Hills made some noise when it took down Pingry, 1-0, on Oct. 16. It closed out the season with two straight wins after being upset by Somerville in the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals. Evan Bujnowski led Watchung's offense with 11 goals.
Fourth-seeded Union, ranked No. 16 in the state, has certainly come out of nowhere. It went winless last season and entered Thursday's game against New Providence with a 12-0-2 record. It will take on Westfield in the Union County Tournament final Friday night. Andre Vieira is the engine that makes Union go.
Fifth-seeded North Hunterdon advanced to the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament quarterfinals, but fell to Delaware Valley, 1-0. It rebounded with a 4-0 win over Franklin to finish its regular season. North Hunterdon has proved that it can play with the likes Watchung Hills, Hunterdon Central, West Windsor-Plainsboro North, Hillsborough , Bridgewater-Raritan and Pingry.
Sixth-seeded Westfield is young and that has caused it to have its lumps this season. The growing pains finally paid off when it knocked out Scotch Plains-Fanwood in PKs in the Union County Tournament semifinals to earn a spot in Friday's finale. Evan Meade, Henry Schwartz and Andrew Echausse will be the keys for Westfield.
Seventh-seeded Newark East Side reached the sectional final last season and is certianly battle-tested. It has gone up against the big dogs in Essex County and facing squads like No. 2 Montclair, No. 6 Seton Hall Prep, No. 11 Millburn and No. 15 West Orange will have this team prepared for a run in the North 2, Group 4 tournament.
Eight-seeded Plainfield has won five straight games since falling to Elizabeth in double-overtime of the Union County Tournament quarterfinals. During the streak it took down Westfield and Cranford twice. This is a very dangerous Plainfield team that is very hard to beat on its home field. It took Scotch Plains overtime to beat Plainfield in Plainfield.
DARK HORSEBridgewater-Raritan, the defending sectional champion, was seeded No. 10 in this bracket after a tough season. Bridgewater only won five games this year, but if it is able to find some postseason magic and timely scoring, it could ride its reputation on a state tourney run.
PLAYERS TO WATCHAndre Vieira, UnionNarvis Bent, PlainfieldZidan Abdella, Scotch Plains-FanwoodDiego Navas Trujilo, PiscatawayRyan Arnold, FranklinEvan Bujnowski, Watchung HillsJonathan Koseoglu, Scotch Plains-FanwoodGeorge Hayden Louis-Ferdinand, PiscatawayEvan Meade, WestfieldHenry Chavez, ElizabethDenilson Dominique, ElizabethRock Valian, Scotch Plains-FanwoodYoukendly Pacius, ElizabethJosser Amaya, ElizabethKerin St. Clair, UnionJoaovictor Lebrao, Newark East SideOliver Trujillo, Bridgewater-RaritanJuan Pablo Rodriguez, PlainfieldShray Parimoo, Watchung HillsChris Alvarado, PlainfieldChris Hale, North Hunterdon Anthony Belske, PhillipsburgLiam Scanlon, Watchung HillsNick Fetten, North HunterdonJulian Trott, WestfieldStephen Valencia, ElizabethDan Coyle, Scotch Plains-FanwoodManny Melendez, Union 1-Scotch Plains-Fanwood vs. 2-Elizabeth nj.com
NORTH 2, GROUP 1 BRACKET
FAVORITETop-seeded Dayton was the sectional champion last year and is the favorite to repeat. It is more than capable of getting hot and rattled off six straight wins. It has found itself in close games this season and is 6-3 in one-goal games. Chito Jaykwaan and David Tjan are Dayton's leading scorer, but this squad is deep with 10 different goal scorers.
CONTENDERSSecond-seeded Technology headed into Thursday's game against Newark Academy having won two straight and six of its last seven. This squad can light up the scoreboard and has put in four or more goals six times. Dylan Nogueira has led the way with 12 goals and three assists.
Third-seeded New Providence just had a five game winning streak snapped after a tight 2-1 loss to a solid Summit team. This team is heading into state's with a lot of confidence with Devin Mulligan leading the way.
Fourth-seeded Glen Ridge is battle-tested playing in Essex County. It has a statement 3-2 win over West Essex and battled Columbia to a scoreless tie. It also hung tough with Livingston and Newark East Side.
Fifth-seeded Becton has taken its bumps and bruises as it finished the regular season with a 9-8-2 record. Zeyad Aboudonia has proven to be a big-time scorer with 23 goals and nine assists.
Sixth-seeded Hoboken may have lost two straight, but just before that had a three-game winning streak. It has rattled off three-game winning streaks three times this season. Daniel Henson, Victor Martinez and Ewan Sanchez are three scorers that haven proven they can get the job done.
DARK HORSETenth-seeded Secaucus headed into Wednesday's game on a three game winning streak. The streak saw it knock off both Lyndhurst and Ridgefield in 5-0 games. This team can score and has put in three or more goals eight times this season. Gabriel Chaves leads the way with 32 goals and eight assists.
PLAYERS TO WATCHGabriel Chaves, SecaucusZeyad Aboudonia, BectonDaniel Henson, HobokenVictor Martinez, HobokenLucas Pardo-Rea, WeehawkenDylan Jurado, North ArlingtonDylan Nogueira, TechnologyEwan Sanchez, HobokenIdowu James Akinlade, West SideDavid Munoz, Palisades ParkEric McKenna, North ArlingtonAdel Durakovic, Palisades ParkJames Miller, New ProvidenceAndri Barrios, BectonDevin Mulligan, New ProvidenceChito Jaykwaan, DaytonGavin Robertson, Glen RidgeDavid Tjan, DaytonJustin Castaneda, BelvidereJon Saavedra, BectonAlex McLeanas, Whippany ParkKevin Sabadin, TechnologyCole Kebea, Dayton
PROJECTED SECTIONAL FINAL 1-Dayton vs. 3-New Providence
Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey JournalGROUP 2SEEDS 1-Harrison 2-Hackettstown 3-Bernards 4-Madison5-Rutherford 6-Lyndhurst 7-Newark Tech 8-McNair 9-Fort Lee 10-Morris Tech 11-Caldwell 12-Verona 13-Newark Central 14-Hanover Park15-Science Park 16-Parsippany
NORTH 2, GROUP 2 BRACKET
FAVORITETop-seeded Harrison fell to Union City in the Hudson County Tournament final after picking up a statement win over defending HCT and Group 4 champion Kearny. Despite two losses to Dwight-Englewood, Harrison was flawless against NJIC competition with 11 wins. Senior forward Omar Sowe is one of the top players in the state and he will carry Harrison as far as he can.
CONTENDERSSecond-seeded Hackettstown has won three straight games and five of its last six. During the streak it picked up a statement victory of Hunterdon Central in the H/W/S semifinals. From September through October, Hackettstown strung together seven straight wins. Colby Clark (9 g., 2 a.) and Shane Davies (9 g., 10 a.) have spearheaded Hackettstown's efforts.
Third-seeded Bernards is back and at full form. It headed into Thursday's game against Somerville on a three-game skid. Prior to that it had won seven straight games and opened the year with four consecutive wins. Gilberto Ferreira leads the charge for Bernards with 10 goals and five assists.
Fourth-seeded Madison is on a roll and headed into Thursday's game against Summit on a five-game winning streak and having won 12 of its last 13 games. Lucas DiGiacomo (14 g., 12 a.) and Brendan Mulcahy (16 g., 7 a.) lead Madison's offense.
Fifth-seeded Rutherford has gone 4-0-2 in its last six games and is 6-1-3 in its last 10 games. Jason Alves has scored 11 goals and is the engine that drives Rutherford.
DARK HORSETwelfth-seeded Hanover Park may have just five wins heading into Wednesday's game against Jefferson, but has been in pretty much every game this season. Six of its seven losses have come in one-goal games. If the bounces start to go its way in states, who knows what this team can accomplish.
PLAYERS TO WATCHOmar Sowe, HarrisonBrendan Mulcahy, MadisonLucas DiGiacomo, MadisonIsaac Baker, McNairUmar Abdus-Salaam, Newark TechBryan Cosman, LyndhurstAbraham Lomax, Newark CentralObafemi Olouadara, Newark CentralJason Alves, RutherfordTheophilous Ekow-Mensah, Newark TechPaul Ambarus, Morris TechIan Lee, Morris TechAndrew Stulec, Morris TechAlex Gegechkori, Fort LeeGilberto Ferreira, BernardsShane Davies, HackettstownAngelo Cascio, ParsippanyCarson Filion, CaldwellRJ Alvarez, LyndhurstJake Weber, VeronaKasper Kozdron, Morris TechBrendan Armstrong, MadisonTyler Liuzzi, LyndhurstElliot Dietrich, BernardsJake Lemaire, RutherfordVinny Coccaro, HackettstownEduardo Nelson, HarrisonRyan Pacheco, Hanover Park
PROJECTED SECTIONAL FINAL 1-Harrison vs. 2-Hackettstown
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance MediaGROUP 3SEEDS1-Irvington 2-Mendham 3-Millburn 4-Ferris 5-Nutley 6-Parsippany Hills7-Somerville 8-Chatham 9-Cliffside Park 10-Cranford 11-Iselin Kennedy 12-Matawan 13-Summit 14-Woodbridge 15-Orange 16-Payne Tech
NORTH 2, GROUP 3 BRACKET
FAVORITEThird-seeded Millburn, No. 11 in the NJ.com Top 20, rode a six-game winning streak into Thursday's night Essex County Tournament semifinal showdown with No. 6 Seton Hall Prep. Down from Group 4, this is Millburn team ready to make some serious noise. This is a deep and dangerous squad with 13 goal scorers this season. Alfie Smith (7 g., 3 a.) and Sam Meyerowitz (3 g., 6 a.) have been on fire of late.
CONTENDERS Top-seeded Irvington showed that is has plenty fight and isn't going to back down when it fell just short of a comeback victory against No. 2 Montclair in the Essex County Tournament first round. After an opening season loss to Orange, Irvington rattled off eight straight wins. Stoichkov Joseph has been the key for Irvington and headed in Thursday's game against Barringer with 20 goals and seven assists.
Second-seeded Mendham is the defending Group 3 champion, but isn't going to have a cakewalk through this bracket with Millburn coming down. It has won two straight since falling to No. 1 Delbarton, 4-0, on Oct. 18. Mendham was stunned by a good Parsippany Hills team in the Morris County Tournament semifinals, 2-0. That loss snapped seven-game winning strike. Senior forward Calvin Ryan has scored 12 goals and has six assists. He will be the key for Mendham again this year.
Fourth-seeded Ferris opened the season with 10 straight wins and won two straight heading into Thursday's game against McNair. Amara Conte, Kevin Mejia and Erasmus Schall lead Ferris' offense and have all reached double-digits in goals.
Fifth-seeded Nutley closed out its regular season with two straight wins and wins in three of its final four games. In the month of October it posted a 7-3 record. Garrett Groeling (16 g., 8 a.) and Jean Paul Maruri (13 g., 9 a.) lead Nutley's offense.
Sixth-seeded Parsippany Hills made some serious noise in the Morris County Tournament. It stunned Dover, Chatham and Mendham to reach the Morris County Tournament final, where it fell to No. 1 Delbarton, 1-0. Corey Katzenberger has stood on his head in goal and will be the X-factor for Par Hills in the state tournament.
Seventh-seeded Somerville reached the Somerset County Tournament semifinals and picked up a nice win over Watchung Hills in the tournament's quarterfinals. It is 5-2 in games decided by one-goal heading into Thursday's game against Bernards. Nolan Quade has led Somerville's attack.
DARK HORSETenth-seeded Cranford certainly went to battle in the Union County Conference and has the battle wounds to prove it. Seven of its 11 losses have come in one-goal games and it has hung tough with schools like Elizabeth and Westfield. With an offense headed by Connor Blazek, Michael Carracino and Drew Patterson this Cranford team could be scary in states.
PLAYERS TO WATCHStoichkov Joseph, IrvingtonGarrett Groeling, NutleyAmara Conte, FerrisKevin Mejia, FerrisErasmus Schall, FerrisJean Paul Maruri, NutleyJuan Restrepo, Parsippany HillsCalvin Ryan, MendhamDrew Patterson, CranfordMarcelo Colonna, MatawanNolan Quade, SomervilleMarvin Monge, Payne TechCainan DaSilva, WoodbridgeRoss Spano, MendhamAlfie Smith, MillburnMohamed Abdelaal, Iselin KennedyOwen Healey, SummitAedan Joel, ChathamMiracle G. Obi, OrangeCorey Katzenberger, Parsippany HillsJulian Franco, SomervilleAndrew Iacovano, CranfordChristian Argueta, Cliffside Park
PROJECTED SECTIONAL FINAL 3-Millburn vs. 5-Nutley
Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance MediaGROUP 4
SEEDS1-Scotch Plains-Fanwood 2-Elizabeth3-Watchung Hills 4-Union 5-North Hunterdon 6-Westfield 7-Newark East Side 8-Plainfield 9-Piscataway10-Bridgewater-Raritan 11-Columbia 12-East Orange 13-Bayonne 14-Dickinson 15-Phillipsburg 16-Franklin
NORTH 2, GROUP 4 BRACKET
FAVORITETop-seeded Scotch Plains-Fanwood, No. 5 in the NJ.com Top 20, is going to be coming into this state tournament hungry. It was stunned by Westfield, a team that it defeated twice in the regular season, in the Union County Tournament semifinals in penalty kicks. It rebounded with a 3-1 win over Union City to close out the regular season with a 17-0-2 record. This team will possess you to death and that starts with the play of Michael Ferrara, Alex Ferrara and Owen Murphy in the midfield.
CONTENDERSMuch like Scotch Plains, second-seeded Elizabeth, ranked 17th in the state, will have a chip on its shoulder after falling to No. 16 Union in overtime in the Union County Tournament semifinals. Elizabeth also finished its season on a high note with a 3-2 win over Manalapan. Youkendly Pacius is the team's heart and soul. He spends time at goalkeeper and forward, but when he's up top is a complete game-changer.
Third-seeded Watchung Hills made some noise when it took down Pingry, 1-0, on Oct. 16. It closed out the season with two straight wins after being upset by Somerville in the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals. Evan Bujnowski led Watchung's offense with 11 goals.
Fourth-seeded Union, ranked No. 16 in the state, has certainly come out of nowhere. It went winless last season and entered Thursday's game against New Providence with a 12-0-2 record. It will take on Westfield in the Union County Tournament final Friday night. Andre Vieira is the engine that makes Union go.
Fifth-seeded North Hunterdon advanced to the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament quarterfinals, but fell to Delaware Valley, 1-0. It rebounded with a 4-0 win over Franklin to finish its regular season. North Hunterdon has proved that it can play with the likes Watchung Hills, Hunterdon Central, West Windsor-Plainsboro North, Hillsborough , Bridgewater-Raritan and Pingry.
Sixth-seeded Westfield is young and that has caused it to have its lumps this season. The growing pains finally paid off when it knocked out Scotch Plains-Fanwood in PKs in the Union County Tournament semifinals to earn a spot in Friday's finale. Evan Meade, Henry Schwartz and Andrew Echausse will be the keys for Westfield.
Seventh-seeded Newark East Side reached the sectional final last season and is certianly battle-tested. It has gone up against the big dogs in Essex County and facing squads like No. 2 Montclair, No. 6 Seton Hall Prep, No. 11 Millburn and No. 15 West Orange will have this team prepared for a run in the North 2, Group 4 tournament.
Eight-seeded Plainfield has won five straight games since falling to Elizabeth in double-overtime of the Union County Tournament quarterfinals. During the streak it took down Westfield and Cranford twice. This is a very dangerous Plainfield team that is very hard to beat on its home field. It took Scotch Plains overtime to beat Plainfield in Plainfield.
DARK HORSEBridgewater-Raritan, the defending sectional champion, was seeded No. 10 in this bracket after a tough season. Bridgewater only won five games this year, but if it is able to find some postseason magic and timely scoring, it could ride its reputation on a state tourney run.
PLAYERS TO WATCHAndre Vieira, UnionNarvis Bent, PlainfieldZidan Abdella, Scotch Plains-FanwoodDiego Navas Trujilo, PiscatawayRyan Arnold, FranklinEvan Bujnowski, Watchung HillsJonathan Koseoglu, Scotch Plains-FanwoodGeorge Hayden Louis-Ferdinand, PiscatawayEvan Meade, WestfieldHenry Chavez, ElizabethDenilson Dominique, ElizabethRock Valian, Scotch Plains-FanwoodYoukendly Pacius, ElizabethJosser Amaya, ElizabethKerin St. Clair, UnionJoaovictor Lebrao, Newark East SideOliver Trujillo, Bridgewater-RaritanJuan Pablo Rodriguez, PlainfieldShray Parimoo, Watchung HillsChris Alvarado, PlainfieldChris Hale, North Hunterdon Anthony Belske, PhillipsburgLiam Scanlon, Watchung HillsNick Fetten, North HunterdonJulian Trott, WestfieldStephen Valencia, ElizabethDan Coyle, Scotch Plains-FanwoodManny Melendez, Union 1-Scotch Plains-Fanwood vs. 2-Elizabeth nj.com