Hackettstown Boys Soccer in the HWS Tournament

The Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament, often shortened to HWS, will include the Hackettstown Tigers boys soccer team as a fourth-seed in their road to the county semifinals. The Tigers initially faced the Lenape Valley Patriots on October 9th in a face off that would determine who would move on to the quarterfinals of the tournament. Within the first fifteen minutes of the game, Hackettstown forward Ibe Bah scored his first goal of many, giving his team a 1-0 lead. Shortly after, freshman Jostin Granados scored a goal, but it was later called back due to a penalty. Hackettstown was undeterred by the recall as Bah quickly converted a penalty kick and Yasseen Zoklat scored just as the first half was ending, giving the Hackettstown soccer team a 3-0 advantage. Bah scored once again just nine minutes after the second half began. Four minutes later, senior Michael Marrella netted the ball against the Lenape Valley goalie. Bah secured his fourth and final goal of the night, leading Hackettstown to a 6-0 victory and onto the HWS quarterfinals. All three scorers and Liam Parr each had one assist throughout the game. Hackettstown goalies Shay Patel and Bryan Smith had four and two saves, respectively, shutting out the Patriots and securing their win. 

Facing the North Hunterdon Lions in the quarterfinals of the HWS tournament just two days later, the Lions were quick to foul Ibe Bah in the box, which allowed for an immediate 1-0 lead for the Hackettstown Tigers. Yasseen Zoklat scored a second shot shortly before goalie Shay Patel saved a goal. North Hunterdon secured their first goal, forcing a tight 2-1 lead for Hackettstown. Unfortunately for the Lions, their goalie received a yellow card resulting in a successful penalty kick on behalf of Bah. Zoklat assisted Bah in the last goal before halftime, allowing Hackettstown to gain a roaring 4-1 lead. North Hunterdon barely snagged a goal with twenty-five minutes remaining in the second half, though Bah was able to score on one last penalty kick before the game finished. Shay Patel saved six critical shots as goalie to prevent a tighter game. Ibe Bah accomplished an incredible feat of a hat trick in penalty kicks, plus an additional goal and assist. The Hackettstown Tigers advanced to the semifinal round of the HWS tournament, where they would soon play Hunterdon Central in a tough battle for a spot in the finals. 

The Tigers faced the Devils’ on Hunterdon Central’s own turf on October 15th. The Hunterdon Central Red Devils were ranked within the top 20 high school boys soccer teams in the state prior to the game by NJ.com. The Tigers held their opponent to a close game with Hunterdon Central leading 2-1 by the end of the first half. Unfavorably, the Devils secured five more goals while Hackettstown was only able to convert a single point. The Tigers were knocked out of the tournament after a 7-2 loss, with both goals from Ibe Bah and an assist each from Michael Marrella and Yasseen Zoklat. Shay Patel saved ten shots from the aggressive Devils. However, the Tigers’ season is still ongoing and they have much to look forward to in their bright future. They have succeeded all throughout the season due to their communication and resilience, so the loss will not discourage their ability to triumph.