The Alternative Press

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - On the back of three goals from three different seniors, the Governor Livingston Highlanders defeated the New Providence Pioneers on Thursday at Snyder Avenue Field, 3-1.

In front of the standing room-only crowd, seniors Anthony Oliveira, Julian Light and Max Dooley each found the back of the net in their final regular season home game to lead the Highlanders to their 11th win of the season.

"Senior night is nice for the seniors but our goal is to keep moving in the right direction going forward and try to play as well as we can," Governor Livingston head coach Bruno Somma said.

Even with the pre-game ceremonies delaying the kickoff, the Highlanders started right where they left off after Monday's win over Sayreville.

In the 20th minute, Oliveira  struck a ball from the top of the 17-yard box into the upper right corner of the goal to give Governor Livingston the lead.

"That was a real nice shot that Anthony (Oliveira) took from the outside," Somma said.  "It was right in the upper left hand corner. I don't think the goalie saw it. It was well struck."

Five minutes later, Light had a ball go off his chest and into the net to give Governor Livingston a 2-0 advantage.

New Providence split the lead in half when the Pioneers put a ball passed the Highlander defense in the 33rd minute.

After the half, with Governor Livingston leading 2-1, New Providence's Zain Stedman converted on a shot off a corner kick to tie the game at two.

The Highlanders responded less than one minute later when Max Dooley ripped a ball from 25 yards out to regain the one goal advantage.

Governor Livingston goalkeeper Jacob Tapor made five saves in the game including two in the second half to seal the victory, while the Highlander offense hit two posts in the second period that would have extended their lead.

Despite the failed shot conversions, Somma does not think the missed opportunities will effect the team going into Saturday's Union County Tournament game against Union.

"We're more than halfway through the season and we're not going to change anything now," he said. "Tonight was one of those nights where we had opportunities and we didn't cash in on them."

Kickoff is set for 10 A.M. on Saturday from Governor Livingston High School.