By: Sean Farrell / Record Sports

POMPTON LAKES – All Carlo Gonzalez wanted was the trophy.

And boy, did he earn it.

His final game at Hershfield Park turned into a performance for the ages. The senior from Pompton Lakes had the game of his life.

He scored three times during the Cardinals’ 3-0 win over Waldwick in Friday’s North 1, Group 1 final.

He set a program record with his 73rd career goal.

And he brought home the school’s first sectional title in 12 years.

Gonzalez made sure to go out a winner.

“What else do you want?” coach Rob Edgar said. “State sectional final and he has a hat trick. Just complete dominance. And with his chances, he could have even had more. Big players tend to step up. And both the bigger players on our team – all of them really – stepped up when it counted.”

Pompton Lakes (16-4-2) has been a consistent powerhouse under Edgar.

Now it has the hardware to back it up.

The top-seeded Cardinals started the season with a loss, only growing the doubts about a small school team with some big holes to fill. But they bought into Edgar’s message and got better as the year went on. In the state tournament, they beat opponents by a combined a 16-0 goal margin.

“It’s incredible,” senior goalie Jason Dubrovich said. “The guys played with so much heart that it was unbelievable. It feels great for us. The school had 11 seniors gone last year so everyone already counted us out. To do this feels amazing.”

Through it all, Gonzalez has been their leader.

His first goal in the championship started with a throw-in that skipped off a head and right to him in the box. Yianni Ekonomides set up the next one, a breakaway that Gonzalez converted right before intermission. Those two teamed up again in the second half when Ekonomides crossed to Gonzalez, who headed in his 28th goal of the year.

“Carlo’s legacy is one of hard work and determination,” Edgar said. “He’s smart. He has a lot of heart and a lot of guts. He’s a tenacious attacker, a fearless player. It’s everything you would want in a striker and a leader.”

Pompton Lakes was also happy to be home. The Cardinals own a 12-1 record this year in true home games and were the only semifinalist with a grass field.

“We play here and we practice here,” senior Michael Magyar said. “Everything is done through this field. We grew up here. So we have a huge advantage playing here. We know every divot and hole on the field.”

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Special Note:  Congratulations to the Cardinals from everyone in the NJIC !!!

 

North 2, Group 1

DAYTON 6, SECAUCUS 2: Gabriel Chaves chipped in a pair of goals for the Patriots, who came into the game having won eight of its last nine. Anthony Nagy recorded a hat trick for Dayton.

North 2, Group 2

DOVER 3, HARRISON 0: Isaiah Flores scored twice as the Tigers got redemption for last year’s championship loss to Harrison. The Blue Tide finished the year with a 20-3 record.