One of the most successful seasons for the Passaic County Tech boys’ soccer program in recent years has now reached the postseason.
The Passaic County Tech Bulldogs were able to pull off a win against the Gloucester Tech Cheetahs in a close matchup that ended with a score of 3-2. This now hands the Bulldogs an early postseason win as they lift the title of NJTAC Groups 3 and 4 champions.
The Bulldogs came into this season following a record of eight wins, 11 losses, and one tie, but the program has been able to turn things around and compete with a winning record of 13 wins, four losses, and two ties.
As for the Cheetahs, they arrived at this game with a record of nine wins, seven losses, and one tie, but they have struggled in the final stretch of the season, winning only one game in their last five games. This was a team that started the season 6-1-1.
It was a quiet first half for both teams, but the goals began in the second half. For the Bulldogs, Yussef Tiemoko, a defender, scored two of the goals, while Shane Inigo, also a defender, added to the score as well.
For Gloucester Tech, both of their goals were scored by Maximus Whitney and Tyler Williams.
This created a close game of 3-2 that could have gone either way.
For the Bulldogs, they will now enter the NJSIAA Tournament in the First Round as part of North Section 1, Group 4. Their first opponent in the postseason will be the East Orange Cougars on November 4th at 2 PM.
Passaic Tech faced an early heartbreak earlier in the season with the Passaic County Tournament final loss against Lakeland in a game that went to overtime, but ultimately, the Bulldogs left without the win at home. The start of the NJSIAA Tournament and the momentum that the team will be riding on to start the postseason may hopefully be enough to take the Bulldogs to the final round. However, this is a tournament in which the Bulldogs have struggled in recent seasons, not even being able to make it out of the first round. With their winning record, this may be their best shot at winning the tournament yet.
Gloucester Tech will enter the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament with their first opponent being Egg Harbor. This matchup will take place on November 4 at 2 p.m. In recent seasons, the Cheetahs have been able to reach the quarterfinals of this tournament, but with momentum seemingly not going their way towards the final stretch of the season, the question for the team will be whether they can even make it out of the first round.
