GL Loses Heartbreaker in Sectional Final

(This story written by GL dad Jeff Bamundo)

The word "heartbreaker" was made for a game like this.

After showing signs of dominating possession and playing so strong defensively, Governor Livingston took a lead on a corner kick from Jeramey Robbins that was flicked on by Michael Bamundo to James Lynch in the 2nd half to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead that they would hold on to until almost the very end.

Losing their starting and All-Conference GK Jon Robbins early on was a huge hit for the team to take and absorb.  After repelling a seemingly harmless shot, the crowd waited in silence as he first stayed down, was treated for and then was ultimately removed from the field.  Turns out that Robbins sustained a serious injury -- much worse than anyone could tell -- with a break to his nose, teeth and cheek bone.

Matt Peltier came on and did a fine job for the remainder of the half and continued to look comfortable well into the second half as GL appeared to be winning both the ball and territory.  But in the last 7 or so minutes, they lost both and the game in the process.

Late on, a shot came in that Peltier looked to grab but a collision ensued and the ball bounced loose with about 6 minutes to go.  The rebound was pounced on and smashed in by Zach Bond, Holmdel's leading scorer who had been well contained up until that point.

But tying the score this late on gave Holmdel momentum.  In the next few minutes, they got a long free kick followed by another short free kick.  One was dealt with, the other was not.

As the ball came into the six, Peltier called for it and came out to challenge and claim it.  But the crowd that the ball drew kept him from reaching it and it appeared that a Holmdel head reached and redirected it past the keeper and into the net -- giving Homdel a come-from-behind win and another Sectional Championship.

And it was then inevitable that the word "heartbreaker" has to be the most common word on the lips or minds of the GL faithful as they left the field.