Jack Driscoll‘s first varsity goal couldn’t have come at a bigger time for Seton Hall Prep.
With 19 minutes remaining, Daniel Ariza sent a cross into the box that ricocheted off a defender and to Driscoll, who’s right-footed kick from 10 yards out proved to be the difference as sixth-seeded Seton Hall Prep, No. 11 in the NJ.com Top 20, defeated third-seeded West Orange, 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the 50th Essex County Tournament at Lincoln Field in West Orange.
“It’s an awesome feeling to score the game winning goal,” said Driscoll, a senior. “I’ve been working hard all year and today, it paid off.”
The Seton Hall Prep (11-4-1) defense made sure the lead held up. Michael Klimas made seven saves to post his fourth consecutive shutout.
Overall, it was the eighth clean sheet of the season for Seton Hall Prep.
“It feels amazing,” Klimas, a junior, said. “I got great help from my defense today.”
“The whole team worked hard as a unit today,” said senior defender Matthew Maceri. “We fought hard till the end.”
Seton Hall Prep, winners of three in a row will face seventh-seeded Columbia in the semifinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Millburn.
Agustin Arrieta made six saves for West Orange (10-4-1), which entered with a four-game unbeaten streak.
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