Southern knocks off No. 9 Princeton; advances to first boys soccer state final

The history book for the Southern boys soccer team has already added more chapters this fall, with the Rams winning the program’s first sectional championship. Head coach Guy Lockwood and his Rams were ready to “write another chapter” going into their NJSIAA Group 4 semifinal against Princeton, the No. 9 ranked team in the NJ.com Top-20 rankings, in Manahawkin. “We have the history book open. Why don’t we keep writing,” Lockwood said he told his squad before the game. Lockwood watched his Rams stamp another brilliant chapter to their 2024 campaign, knocking off the defending Group 4 champions, 1-0, to advance to the program’s first-ever state final. “It’s fantastic being able to coach a team to the state final,” Lockwood said after the win over Princeton. “This (win) sends a signal that Southern is a highly competitive program. We strive for excellence and we’re going to be ready to play (in the Group 4 final).” Southern tallied the game’s lone goal right off the bat in the sixth minute after getting a direct kick on a handball penalty right outside the box on Princeton. Senior Aidan Donnelly did the honors for the Rams, blasting home his 28th goal of the season to give Southern the early lead. The 28 goals scored by Donnelly is a new single-season program for the Rams. “It feels awesome (setting a school record),” Donnelly said. “When you’re playing, you can’t really worry about. It was all about getting the win (today) and that’s what mattered the most.” After controlling the first 25 minutes of action, the rest of the contest saw Southern fight tooth and nail to keep Princeton off the board to add another historic moment to its ledger. Princeton had a chance to tie the game just four minutes into the second half, but senior Azariah Breitman’s clean shot on net sailed over the crossbar. The next best chances to tie the game for the Little Tigers all came with under 10 minutes to play. Princeton got a direct kick on net with nine minutes to play right outside the box after Southern goalkeeper Ryan Schweigart was issued a yellow card. The Little Tigers, however, couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity with Chase Hamerschlag’s shot sailing wide right of the net. There were three chances off a throw-in deep in Southern’s end with just over three minutes to go for Princeton to capture the equalizer. Senior Archie Smith had the first chance to tie the game, but Schweigart knocked his shot away. Breitman was able to corral the rebound for Princeton and send a second shot on net. However, a diving Brody Reynolds headed the ball out for Southern. “I just threw my body out there trying to make a save,” Reynolds said of his game-saving play. “Any one of us on the field or on the bench would’ve put their body on the line to make a play like that too. It feels great.” Breitman tried to head the ball back in off of Reynolds' knockaway, but the ball flew to the side of the net, ending Princeton’s last-ditch effort to tie the game. Princeton came into the contest only being shut out twice all season and had scored 11 goals over its last 5 games. “We knew what (Princeton) was capable of and knew we had to step to the ball right away and make the saves when we can,” Schweigart said. “It’s a great feeling (reaching the state final) and making more history.” Schweigart tallied four saves in the victory. Senior Nicolas Holmelund also had four saves for Princeton, who finishes the season 18-3-4 and sees its run for back-to-back state championships end with a loss in the state semifinals. “These guys have won every kind of championship they can win in high school soccer over the last 18 months,” Princeton head coach Ryan Walsh said. “They should be really proud of that and helping put Princeton soccer back on the map.” Southern (18-5-1) will play either Scotch Plains-Fanwood or Ridgewood in the Group 4 final on Sunday at Franklin High School. The history book will continue to stay open till then for the Rams. Chapters of winning a sectional title and knocking off the defending champs in the state semifinals have been added to it over the last week. Southern and Lockwood hope the last chapter of the 2024 season with have the title of state champions written at the top of it. “We won our first sectional title (this year) and it would mean everything for us to come out and win the whole thing,” Donnelly said. The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) Steven Bassin can be reached at SBassin@njadvancemedia.com.