The boys’ soccer team at Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) ran into a buzz saw when the NJSIAA Non-Public A championship game was played om Nov. 12 at Kean University in Union.
It was in that state final where CBA was denied a second straight Non-Public A championship when the Cots were defeated by the powerhouse Delbarton School, 4-1.
The Colts actually gaine a 1-0 lead at halftime after junior Dominic Bellomo scored. However, the school from Morris Township roared back and scored a wave of goals in the second half.
Two goals were scored by Brendan McSorley, one was recorded by his brother, Liam McSorley, and Ethan Fabricant connected on the other goal for the Green Wave. the other. Fabricant also had an assist in the game, as did John Gerard and Will Stroud.
Goalkeeper Shane Keenan of CBA registered 11 saves in the game, while Green Wave goalkeeper Kyle Swift stopped four shots.
The Colts, who ended their season with a 20-3-1 record, had defeated Seton Hall Preparatory School in the Non-Public A state final, 1-0, last season.
Delbarton ended its season with a 21-0-1 and is ranked in No. 1 in a state poll.
Despite losing in the Non-Public A title game, CBA still had a highly productive season, winning the South Jersey, Non-Public A championship for the third year in a row after beating Bishop Eustace Preparatory School, 2-0, on Nov. 9.
Before that, the Colts scored a key victory on Nov. 7 in the South Jersey, Non-Public A semifinals, topping Saint Joseph High School of Metuchen, 2-0, in Lincroft.
The game against Saint Joseph was tied well into the second half before junior center midfielder Jack Gill gave the Colts a 1-0 lead almost 25 minutes in. The Falcons surged back and had several near chances toward the end of the game, but CBA’s Keenan made two big saves to keep the shutout going.
After several near goals by Saint Joseph, CBA put the game away when senior George Gosden scored a goal to make it 2-0 with only a couple minutes remaining. Bellomo assisted on both of the Colts’ goals.
The Colts won last year’s South Jersey, Non-Public A tournament with a 5-0 victory over St. Augustine Preparatory School. They followed with a victory over Seton Hall Preparatory, 1-0, to capture the overall Non-Public A championship.
CBA also won the sectional championship in 2015 with a 2-1 victory over St. Augustine before falling to Delbarton, 2-0, in the overall Non-Public A championship game.
“You just want to go out there and play with your brothers,” Gill said prior to facing Delbarton in this year’s championship game. “It’s about winning a state championship. There’s no better feeling in the world. The senior class led it last year, and [senior John] Askin is a fantastic captain, and we want to do it again.”