The Westfield boys soccer team is heading back to the county final after a commanding 3-1 win over Summit on Saturday night. The Blue Devils’ energy and resilience carried them through a hard-fought semifinal match that showed how much this team has grown over the season.
The Blue Devils have truly turned the corner on their season, and this game was a reflection of just that. Throughout the ups and downs of the game, the Blue Devils’ consistency and composure ultimately triumphed. The Blue Devils have definitely unlocked a new sense of gritty perseverance, making them difficult to beat.
The first half was a back-and-forth battle, with both teams creating scoring opportunities early. Summit broke through first, taking a 1-0 lead midway through the half, but Westfield answered quickly. Senior co-captain Alex Rokhsar equalized with 16 minutes left, finishing a cross from senior co-captain Sam Judka to swing the momentum back in the Blue Devils’ favor.
“I think getting that goal back in the first half is what was really needed,” Rokhsar said. “Whenever we go one down, normally we put our heads down, but getting that goal only five minutes after they scored really helped us rally back and carry that throughout the rest of the game.”
Westfield nearly took the lead before halftime, hitting the post just seconds before the whistle. The teams entered the break tied 1-1, but the Blue Devils looked ready to take control.
In the second half, Westfield played more direct and began to dominate possession. Their persistence paid off when Judka once again created a chance on the right side, weaving through multiple Summit defenders before crossing the ball to senior Jake Russell, who slotted it to the back of the net to give Westfield the lead.
“It feels amazing to be able to contribute to the team,” Russell said. “We knew we had to win every 50/50 ball, be more aggressive than them, and deny them any chances to win this game.”
Westfield’s physicality continued to set the tone. The match saw four yellow cards in total, three for Westfield and one for Summit, and even a card issued to head coach Eric Shaw as tensions rose late in the game. Despite the intensity, the Blue Devils stayed composed, finding a third goal after a scramble in the box to seal the 3-1 win. A late Westfield goal that would have made it 4-1 was called back for a handball, but by then, the Blue Devils had already secured their spot in the championship.
Shaw praised his team’s growth and maturity under pressure. “We’ve found ourselves in this situation numerous times, but we’ve learned that we can compete with these high-level teams,” he said. “The mentality can’t change, the preparation can’t change, and the level of play can’t change. Whether we’re up a goal or down a goal, we always need to compete.”
Rokhsar echoed Shaw, emphasizing the importance of consistency and grit. “It’s good to be back in the county finals,” he said. “I haven’t won a county tournament at the varsity level, so I’m really happy to be back here my senior year with all these guys.”
With the victory, Westfield earns a rematch against longtime rival Scotch Plains-Fanwood in the Union County Final Nov. 1. The Blue Devils will look to carry their momentum and their newfound edge into the biggest game of the season.
