WALDWICK – So when is a loss a good thing for an undefeated boys’ soccer team?
Apparently, it’s fine when the setback comes in September. At least, that’s the approach Hawthorne Christian is taking after losing last Thursday to Midland Park.
“That was big for us,” said Hawthorne Christian striker Rene White. “You never like to lose, but it might have been the best thing for us at the time and very good for our ego.”
“I think we were looking past them [Midland Park],” said Hawthorne Christian head coach Tyler Van Dyk. “I didn’t know what we were going to get [Monday]. I didn’t know how they were going to respond.”
The Defenders had not played since suffering the loss to Midland Park, until they took the field Monday against Waldwick, a matchup of teams that captured state sectional titles last fall.
Thanks to White, the Defenders have no need to worry about an emotional letdown.
White scored two goals – one in each half – giving him 16 on the season and enabling Hawthorne Christian (8-1) to take a well-earned 3-0 victory.
It was the first loss for Waldwick (5-2) in a month, when they lost to – you guessed it – Hawthorne Christian, 3-1.
