Three Straight. St. Benedict's Wins Essex County Title Again with 1–0 Victory Over Seton Hall Prep

Since returning to the NJSIAA just three seasons ago, St. Benedict's has done nothing but dominate. A third consecutive Essex County title, a 56-game unbeaten streak, and the top ranking in the country. Wednesday night's 1–0 win over Seton Hall Prep added another chapter to what is becoming one of the most remarkable runs in New Jersey soccer history.

The Grey Bees controlled the first half from the opening whistle but found Seton Hall Prep goalkeeper Liam Collins standing between them and the scoreboard at every turn. In the 15th minute, Enzo Lolo found himself point blank on a Frank P long ball and Collins was right there to smother it. Moments later the ball bounced back to Lolo off a Amadou Hann chance and Kieran Bateson got a foot on it to knock it out of play. A free kick from Nathaniel Lado around the 25th minute looked destined for the back of the net until Collins dove full extension to push it away. The Cornell commit was playing the game of his life and keeping Seton Hall Prep in it when the pressure was near constant.

The two teams headed into the break scoreless and Seton Hall Prep had every reason to believe they could steal this. They were organized, disciplined, and their goalkeeper was unbeatable. Forty-five minutes of soccer remained and it was genuinely up for grabs.

The second half did not stay scoreless for long. Off a Richmond Larivba pass from midfield, Frank P carried it wide on the far side and found Hann in space. Hann got past two defenders and put a shot on frame. It was cleared initially but came loose in the box. Hann was there again, this time getting a clean touch to send it in for his 11th goal of the year. St. Benedict's led 1–0 in the 54th minute and the Grey Bees had the margin they needed.

Seton Hall Prep pressed for an equalizer but could not find a way through. Collins continued to be sharp when called upon, most notably swatting away a dangerous free kick from Leandro Macho in the 64th minute that was angling perfectly toward the near post. Seton Hall had shown no shots on goal for most of the second half, but a late corner from Gio Carnamola created a scramble in front where a Brody Angeline header ricocheted in the box. Graham O'Hara rose highest and came down with it to make the only save he would need all night and seal the result.

St. Benedict's wins the Essex County Tournament for the third consecutive season and extends their unbeaten streak to 56 games. Hann was the match winner but the performance was a collective one, with the Grey Bees combining relentless pressure with calm execution even when the goal refused to come early. Seton Hall Prep pushed them harder than the scoreline suggests and Collins deserves enormous credit for keeping his team in a game that could have gotten away from them much earlier.

Three seasons back in the NJSIAA. Three Essex County titles. Fifty-six games without a loss. St. Benedict's is not just the best team in New Jersey right now. They are making a case for something much larger.