Competition was at its highest not just during the regular season but, especially come tournament time for the Westfield High School boys soccer team. The Blue Devil boys won the Union County Conference Watchung Division with a 5-0 record, dropped a 2-1 decision to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Raiders for the Union County Tournament (UCT) title and once again to the Raiders for the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 crown to finish 18-3-3.
Interestingly, the Blue Devils’only other loss was to the Ridgewood Maroon (2-0), would go on to drop a 3-2, two overtime decision to the Raiders in the Group 4 semifinal. The Blue Devils tied the Monroe Falcons (1-1), the 18-3-4 Princeton Tigers (22), who would win their Central Jersey Group 4 title, and 16-4-1 Toms River East (0-0).
The Blue Devils cruised through a pair of 5-1 victories over Oratory Prep and Lawrence to start the season then nipped the Union Farmers, 3-2, in overtime before losing to Ridgewood. A 7-0 trouncing of the Governor Livingston Highlanders was followed by their tie with Monroe. Next was a 2-1 win over North Brunswick and a 4-2 win over the 155 Elizabeth Minutemen.
After tying Princeton, the Blue Devils downed the ALJ Crusaders, 2– 0, and East Brunswick, 1-0. The first showdown with the Raiders resulted in a 1-0, overtime victory. After humbling Lawrenceville, 7-3, the 0-0 tie with Toms River East followed. The Blue Devils nipped Union again, 2-1, in overtime in the UCT quarterfinals then knocked off Elizabeth, 3-0, in the semifinal. A 1-0 regular-season win over Rahway followed then the Blue Devils fell to the Raiders, 2-1, for the UCT title. The regular season was completed when the Blue Devils shut out the Piscataway Chiefs, 5-0, and the Old Bridge Knights, 4-1.
When the North Jersey, Section 2 Group 4 tournament arrived, the Blue Devils were destined to meet a pair of their old Union County foes again. A smooth-sailing, 7-1, victory over the JP Stevens Hawks was followed with a 2-1 win over the Irvington Blue Knights in the quarterfinals. The Blue Devils went the distance in the semifinal by ousting Elizabeth, 2-1, via 43 shootout. The third showdown with the SPF Raiders ended in a 3-0 loss for the title.
More than half of the Blue Devils’ roster consisted of seniors and the most productive offensively was midfielder Henry Iannuzzi, who finished with 17 goals and nine assists for 43 points. Junior forward Sam Judka finished with 13 goals and eight assists for 34 points. Senior back Austin Williams finished with four goals and nine assists for 17 points. Senior midfielder Danny Gonzalez finished with six goals and two assists for 14 points and junior midfielder Alex Rokhsar had five goals and four assists also for 14 points. Senior forward Will Gerne and midfielder Dan DeSousa each had three goals and four assists.
Although the defensive efforts do not really show up on the stat sheets, Co-captains Niko Pierce and Ethan Wade each finished with three goals and three assists. Senior backs Jake Pardes had two goals and three assists, and Will Sun had two goals and an assist. Senior Sam Zafra and junior Damien Caponigro each scored twice. Juniors Lucas Grygiel had three assists, Will Crozier had two assists and Ben Lyons had an assist. Others who shored up the defense were seniors Max Burrick, Tom Jasina and Dom Tomasso, and sophomore Reean Diaz.
The last line of defense at goal were juniors Simon Gunzberg, who recorded 63 saves, and Danny Garcia with 16 saves. The Blue Devil defense allowed just 25 goals in the 24 games played.
Iannuzzi had a goal and two assists in the first overtime win over Union. Judka had a hat trick and Gonzalez scored twice against Governor Livingston. DeSousa scored in the tie with Monroe. Pierce had a goal and two assists in the first win over Elizabeth, while Judka had a goal and an assist. The tie with Princeton had Iannuzzi and Judka scoring. DeSousa scored in the win over East Brunswick.
Iannuzzi became the hero in the win over the Raiders after receiving an assist from Rokhsar. Iannuzzi and Rokhsar both scored twice in the win over Lawrenceville. Iannuzzi scored the overtime winner in the UCT game against Union then Rokhsar, Gerne and Gonzalez scored against Elizabeth. Pardes scored the goal against Rahway and Wade scored the goal in the UCT loss to the Raiders.
Iannuzzi scored twice against Piscataway and Williams scored twice in the season finale against Old Bridge. Judka scored another hat trick in the sectional win over JP Stevens and Wade scored the regulation goal in the shootout against Elizabeth.
The Blue Devils graduate a wealth of talent, so there will be plenty of opportunities for the returning players next year.
