Boys Soccer: Highland Park wins first sectional title in school history with victory over Asbury Park

HIGHLAND PARK - This season has been history in the making for the Highland Park High School boys soccer program. 

On Friday night, the top-seeded Owls (16-3-2), which were playing in their first sectional final in 18 years, defeated second-seeded Asbury Park, 5-1, to win the NJSIAA Central Group I title for the first time in program history. The victory also gave Highland Park 16 wins in a season for the third time ever. 

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"I don't know how to feel," Highland Park senior Jonah Beberman said. "There's so many emotions, I can't even describe it." 

After a scoreless first half which saw both teams have multiple chances to score, Highland Park exploded in the second half. The Owls took 16 shots on goal compared with Asbury Park's six, and connected on five of them. 

Ian Hammond struck first for Highland Park, scoring on a corner kick by Ethan Gildenberg. Felix Rojas scored the next two goals, one on a free kick and the other off a corner by Gildenberg for a 3-0 lead with 24:39 remaining in the game. 

Joseph Luckenson scored for the Blue Bishops (15-5-1) to cut the lead to 3-1 with 14:36 to play, but Beberman then scored on a 40-yard free kick, which took the wind out of Asbury Park's sails. 

"We felt really good going into the second half, that first goal kind of took us out of our groove a little bit," Asbury Park coach Jean Dortissant said. "We did (feel like we were still in it), but when they scored again, that's when we felt it."

With 8:43 remaining, Harry Peska scored on another assist from Gildenberg for the 5-1 final and the sectional trophy. 

"In the second half we were able to finish," Rojas said. "I think we got the same amount of chances, but we were able to capitalize."

The Highland Park defense did its job in stopping Asbury Park's leading scorer Davensky Joinvilmar, who entered the game with 17 goals and three assists. 

"They played great," said Highland Park goalie Elan Isaacson, who finished with five saves. "Asbury Park has one of the best striker's in the state, and he didn't score. They really played outstanding."

Freshman goalie Woodley Cagilus made 11 saves for the Blue Bishops, which were looking for their second-straight Central Group I title. 

"I feel that our keeper did a tremendous job," Dortissant said. "He's only a freshman and that's a kid who didn't know he was playing keeper until mid-August and I think he did a good job today."

Highland Park has been building toward's Friday night's victory since falling in the sectional semifinals last year. That experience, plus some new talent, helped the Owls finally fit the pieces of the puzzle together. 

Next up is the Group I semifinals on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Paul IV in Haddonfield. Highland Park will face Glassboro, which won the South Group I title for the first time since 1976 on Friday.

"I feel like we're good enough that we can play with anyone in the state," Beberman said. "Now it's time to prove it." 

Staff Writer Lauren Knego: lknego@gannettnj.com; on Twitter: @laurenknego