With 2:17 left on the clock, senior Jakub Kotowicz hit a free kick right over Union keeper’s head, scoring the game-tying goal to send the game into overtime. While no golden goal was scored in the two overtime periods, the Blue Devils still claimed victory in penalty kicks, 5-3, in the second round of the Union County Tournament.
Despite beating Union in the regular season, “[Union] was much more organized. They were confident on the ball and had nothing to lose; they definitely showed it in moments when they were going all in,” Head Coach Eric Shaw said.
The Blue Devils opened the scoring with junior William Yenawine finishing a cross from fellow junior Beckett Johnson. From then on, the game was back and forth, with Union responding 3 minutes later to tie the game up. Senior co-captain Reean Dias finished another cross into the box and Union, once again, responded quickly as the teams went into half tied 2-2.
As time ticked down, fouls and yellow cards for Union started to become a differentiator between the two sides. One red card was also issued to a Union player 20 minutes into the second half for a second yellow card; a turning point in the game.
For the remaining 20 minutes in regulation and both halves of overtime, the Blue Devils had a numerical advantage on the field, playing with 11 to Union’s 10.
“In the game, you’re always trying to rush the moment. Being up a man, we got to be a little bit more aware of where the space is and how to attack it,” said Shaw.
Senior Jack Hantman said, “The yellow cards helped us a lot. It was mostly [Union]; they were getting riled up. They got the red card, and then we just kept the pressure. They were a man down, and we just kept pushing and pushing.”
This pressure and momentum shift gave Westfield the energy they needed to finish the game.
Senior co-captain Cooper Janota said, “As the game started picking up, we started getting more chances, and it just became electric. All the guys on the bench started getting crazy. The guys on the field were being loud, and that’s what we need in every game.”
Going into the Quarterfinals, they look to face rivals Scotch Plains-Fanwood in another under-the-lights match. Previously, the Blue Devils lost 1-0 in overtime. Carrying the momentum from the Blue Devil’s highest scoring game will be crucial in upsetting the Raiders. “ Today we showed some fight and were able to get ourselves back into [the game] at the end. As a group though we need to be able to protect the back and not give up goals to let teams back in.” said Shaw.
The Blue Devils look to continue their Union County run on Tuesday against SPF to improve their 7-7-2 record.
