Boys’ Soccer Advances to State Final
The boys’ soccer team continued its incredible season as the Knights defeated Montclair Kimberley Academy 2-1 to claim the North, Non-Public B sectional title. It is Gill’s seventh sectional title in program history.
Gill could not have asked for a better start to the contest as Adam Berrocal ’21 and Micaah Garnette ’21 each scored to give the Knights a 2-0 lead within the first ten minutes of the game.
“Everyone was a little tense at the start of the game, which is normal in a championship,” said head coach Tony Bednarsky. “However, we got into a great groove, and it was hands down the best soccer we had played all year. I give MKA credit because they stopped the bleeding after that, but those two early goals ended up being the difference.”
The Cougars did respond with a goal of their own to make it a 2-1 game at halftime. The second half featured a lot of defensive maneuvering, and goalkeeper Alex Borto ’22 made eight saves to secure the win for the Knights.
“The four seniors on the team (John Baber, Tyler Merna, Andrew Moglianesi and Daniel Shen) played their absolute hearts out,” said Bednarsky. “They played as if they did not want it to be their last game and now, they have a chance to win a state title.”
Gill will take on Rutgers Prep in the Non-Public B State Championship this Sunday at Kean University. The Knights have three wins and three losses in state championship games and their most recent title came in 2016.
“The last time we won it we had a senior dominated team,” reflected Bednarsky. “We were picked to win it from preseason onward. This year is a bit sweeter, however, because we were labeled as a rebuilding team. Rutgers Prep has had a great stretch during the state tournament and they are a rival of Gill’s in a few sports, so should be a great matchup. However, we can only worry about ourselves and not the opponent and I know the boys will be focused and ready to win a state title.”
Make sure to come out and cheer on the team this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. at Kean University! Good luck Knights!
Gill St. Bernard's School
Gill St. Bernard’s is a private, coeducational day school for students age three through grade 12, located in suburban New Jersey. Each of the three school divisions provides a rigorous, meaningful, and age-appropriate curriculum, and all students benefit from the environmental learning opportunities that exist on our 208-acre campus.