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On a bitterly cold and windy night, Kinnelon played one of New Jersey's top boys' soccer teams to a standstill. Neither the Colts nor Harrison managed to score during regulation. Overtime wasn't any different and it required a penalty kick shootout to declare a winner in the Group I state semifinal contest.
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Harrison came out showing better touch on the ball, passing well and creating early opportunities. Bryan Aguilar had a breakaway chance saved by Kinnelon goalie Eric Makinen. Kinnelon's defense held its ground showing grit and resolve, not allowing Harrison to score in the first half.
The second half was evenly played with both teams having clear opportunities to score. Off a corner kick, a scramble in the box yielded a golden opportunity that Kinnelon could not convert. A few minutes later Harrison's Aguilar had another breakaway chance but Makinen denied him send the soccer game to overtime.
Both overtime periods were pretty quiet without much excitement or any clear chances. Both teams seemed to be in survival mode, trying hard not to make a costly mistake. Inevitably, the match went to penalty kicks.
In the shootout, Kinnelon took the early lead when Harrison missed their first round chance. However, Kinnelon missed the next two, while the Blue Tide converted its next three PKs. Only needing to make its last round kick, Harrison shot wide, and Kinnelon's Kolben Pritchard converted in clutch fashion to extend the shootout.
After both teams scored in the sixth round, Harrison goalie Diego Diaz became the hero for his team. Diaz first converted a kick in the 7th round to put the Blue Tide ahead, then saved Kinnelon's attempt to end the shootout and the Colts' season.
Kinnelon coach Nick Stokes expressed pride in his team's effort. "To lose on penalties, it's disappointing," he said. "But we're not defeated today."
After losing 3 out of its first 5 games, Kinnelon turned its season around, going 16-1 prior to Tuesday night and bringing a state sectional championship home. It is unfortunate that a team sport has to determine a winner on an individual skill. Nonetheless, Kinnelon had a great run and a soccer season to remember.
Senior captain Pritchard said, “We are always together, we walk to practice together, we leave practice together.” Although Kinnelon was didn’t win this evening, they are truly winners. -- Emir Liguori for Jersey Sports Now
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