The Alternative Press

MILLBURN, NJ - Year in and year out, Livingston sets the bar for other public soccer programs around the state.  During Paul Raiz’s tenure, Livingston always have the three same goals: capture conference, county, and state titles.

Unfortunately, Livingston dropped the county title to Montclair for the second straight year five days ago.  However, the great thing about high school soccer is you can get right back on the pitch the next day.  The Lady Lancers did not allow the hard-fought county final game to impact their conferences chances.

Livingston clinched the Super Essex Conference – American Division title with a 2-0 victory over the Millers in Millburn Thursday night.

“The county loss was a hard one but we knew we still had a chance for the conference and state,” Livingston defender Kylie McLaughlin said.

As they have for majority of the season, the Lady Lancers would control much of the first half possession and outshoot the Millers six-to-one.

In the 39th minute, Kristine Kelly sent a corner kick that flew into the net and gave Livingston a 1-0 lead heading into the half.

“We were playing well defensively and getting opportunities on offense and Kristine’s goal gave us a jolt,” McLaughlin continued.

Livingston would play a little more conservatively in the second half while trying to protect the lead and also trying to get opportunities.

The golden opportunity came in the 72nd minute.  On a free kick from 20-yards out, Joanna Scotti sent a laser past the outstretched keeper to give the Lady Lancers a 2-0 lead with eight minutes remaining.

Livingston did not allow a shot in those final eight minutes and would go on to clinch yet another conference title.