Sports

Gov. Livingston Hosts Linden Today in UCT Play

# 2 seed faces # 7 Tigers in quarterfinal. Video: Take a look back at their exciting overtime win vs. Westfield.

So far, it's been a season to remember for the Gov. Livingston boys' varsity soccer team, and they have been waiting patiently for their chance to play in the Union County Tournament.

The Highlanders, 11-1-1 on the season, received a bye into the quarterfinal round as the second seed and will face Linden today at 4 p.m., a day earlier than scheduled because of impending bad weather.

GL began the season at 9-0, one of their best starts in program history, earning them the respect of the county coaches.

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Junior co-captain Michael Bamundo never saw this coming.

"Never thought about going 9 and 0. I'm not sure any team does," says Bamundo. "But we knew we had the talent to compete with any team we'd go up against."

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The keys to the season are many, starting with Max Dooley (LHB) and Kyle Morris (Stopper), who stepped into a defensive role they had really not played before.

Then there was the unexpected addition of transfer student Torbin Halvorsen (RHB), and Bamundo's ability to get comfortable playing sweeper for the first time.

Behind their outstanding defense has been senior goalie and co-captain Jon Robbins, who has been very solid minding the net.

His twin brother and co-captain Jeramey Robbins controls the game from his midfield position and brings creativity he brings to the Highlander offense.

And then there's the senior leadership they get from the likes of Louie Marke (Fwd) and James Lynch (Outside Mid).

Earlier this season, the Highlanders made a statement with a huge overtime victory over defending UCT champion Westfield, which only gave the team more confidence.

"That was the biggest game of the season so far," said Bamundo, "because it proved to us that we could play with and even beat any team that we have to face."

Longtime head coach Bruno Somma has a team of skilled and battle-tested players -- most of whom play Club soccer at a pretty high level of competition throughout the year.

In fact, many of these boys played together from the time they were 6 and 7 years old in their Berkeley Heights Travel team, the "Bulldogs", and that has certainly helped the chemistry of this team.

And while the wins are great, Somma makes it clear that no matter the score, it is the quality of play and execution that is important.

To the team's credit, the pre-season loss of Nick Mavrostomos -- a 4-year Varsity player, co-captain and last year’s sweeper -- was a devastating blow that the team has been able to handle.

Ranked 19th in the Star-Ledger top 20 earlier this season, this team has proven they can overcome adversity and play at the highest level in Union County.

 


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