It took less than a minute for senior captain Sam Judka to make his mark. Off a perfectly placed cross from senior captain Alex Rokhsar, Judka soared above the Phillipsburg defense and buried a header into the back of the net, giving the No. 3 Westfield Blue Devils an immediate 1–0 lead. The goal electrified the home crowd and set the tone for a dominant 4–0 victory over the No. 11 Phillipsburg Stateliners in the state sectional quarterfinals on Friday afternoon.
Westfield wasted no time asserting control. The early strike forced Phillipsburg to chase the game, opening space for Westfield’s quick passing and disciplined buildup play. Head coach Eric Shaw emphasized the importance of striking early in big matches. “Getting the first goal, especially that early, sets a rhythm for the team and gives a knock to the other team’s mentality, making it difficult to come back,” Shaw said. “I always talk about capitalizing on those moments in the first half, so it was very pleasing watching Judka score that goal early.”
For Judka, preparation was key despite the unfamiliar opponent. “We didn’t know much about Phillipsburg going into today’s game beyond the film we watched,” he said. “It is much different to compete against an opponent in real time than observe them in the film room. Nonetheless, we knew if we came out with energy and sustained it, we would come out on top.”
Senior midfielder Jake Russell echoed that sentiment, noting that Westfield had to adapt to Phillipsburg’s unique defensive shape. “They played a new defense with three backs and a sweeper, so we had to adjust our practices to replicate that in order to best design and prepare our offense,” Russell said. The adjustments paid off, as Westfield maintained steady control throughout, adding two more goals before halftime and never letting the Stateliners find their groove.
As the Blue Devils extended their lead, Shaw took advantage of the cushion to rotate players and rest his starters—a move that Judka believes strengthens team chemistry. “Obviously it’s helpful to get the starters off their legs and rest up, but it’s even more beneficial for the team to spread the love and get everyone involved,” Judka said. “Late-game plays by guys who don’t usually get the opportunity to play on the field gets the team more riled up than anything.”
Russell agreed, adding that the experience for younger players will pay dividends. “It’s just awesome to see the guys you practice with every day get their chance to shine,” he said. “It also makes practices so much more competitive when everyone has had a chance to experience gameplay, which helps our preparation.”
Shaw praised the team’s complete effort, commenting on the significance of a postseason shutout. “It just builds up the team’s mentality anytime you don’t let up any goals, especially in a state game,” he said.
With the 4–0 win, Westfield advances to play Ridge on Nov. 11 in the state sectional semifinal, carrying both momentum and confidence after a commanding all-around performance.
