Glen Rock (14-0-1) hangs on for 1-0 win over Paramus (12-2)
The redemption tour will make one more stop as Ben Zakowski propelled the Panthers onto the final. The Panther senior scored the lone goal on a brilliant run in the 59th minute and added yet another career-defining moment. Zakowski accepted a pass from Ryan McCarthy, and cut inside from the left past two defenders, sliding a low shot to the corner that beat the Spartan goalie. It was his his 16th goal of the season and seventh in the tournament.
“I’m the forward here,” Zakowski said, modestly. “That’s what I’m supposed to be doing. I’m supposed to be putting in the goals. But in a game like this, a big game, it’s always the greatest feeling.”
A defensive play in the 65th minute may become the turning point in the tournament for Glen Rock. Paramus senior Justin Behnke ripped a shot from the center of the box that seemed headed for the net. But Glen Rock keeper Noah Beverin was positioned well and somehow deflected the ball over the bar for a corner. It helped the Panther defense improve their goals against average to 0.6 per game while ending Paramus’ win streak at 10.
“I just saw the ball come across the box,” Beverin said. “I shifted to the side. He took a bad touch, but nobody really closed down on him. He had a small opening to take a shot off. He took it off and I just reacted really quickly.”
Glen Rock will be making its second trip to the championship and first since a shutout loss to Don Bosco in 1987. Before this season, no current NJIC program had reached the final since Waldwick’s victorious run in 1995.
