Haddon Heights wins semifinal on penalty kicks

One more victory.

In a season dedicated to the father of Haddon Heights senior striker George Gans, the Garnets have one more game to win to present the Group 2 state soccer trophy to the elder Gans, also named George, who has leukemia.

Sophomore midfielder James Hicks assured the final game for Heights when he delivered a soft penalty kick into the lower right side of the net in a state Group 2 boys' soccer semifinal Tuesday against North Plainfield at Washington Township.

Heights won, 4-2, on penalty kicks.

The game, tied, 1-1, in regulation, remained scoreless after two 10-minute overtime periods to force a penalty-kick round, the first for Heights this season.

The Garnets (19-2-2) are scheduled to meet Cliffside Park for the Group 2 state title at 4 p.m. Sunday at The College of New Jersey. Cliffside Park (23-1) has won the last four North Jersey Section 2 crowns.

The Canucks ended their season with a 14-7-1 record.

Gans missed the first penalty kick; however, junior back Austin McCleery, junior midfielder Matt Taylor, junior back Troy Koff, and Hicks each scored to put away the game.

"I was the last guy and I knew if I made it the game was over, so I just had to keep it calm and place it in back of the net," Hicks said of his first penalty kick of the season.

"This [win] means a lot to all of our teammates; hopefully, he [the elder Gans] can fight through this."

Haddon Heights won its first sectional title in 35 years when it defeated two-time defending state champion Delran, 2-1, to advance to the state semifinal. Heights last won the state title in 1974.

Gans scored his 31th goal of the season - a school record - when he blasted in the first goal of the game with 24 minutes, 22 seconds left in the second half.

"This [win] is a dream come true. He's going to be happy about this one, that's for sure," Gans said about his father, who has returned to a hospital for treatment.

Gans, the leading goal-scorer in South Jersey, beat a lone defender at about the 15-yard line, swerved left and fired with his left foot for the goal. "I'm right-footed," he said.

It took Camilo Londolo, the Canucks' second-leading scorer with 18 goals and 17 assists, only 2:25 to tie the score, 1-1, on an assist by Christian Andrade.

The Garnets had only one shot on goal during the first 40 minutes.

North Plainfield   0 1 0 0 – 1

Haddon Heights   0 1 0 0 – 1

Haddon Heights wins, 4-2, on penalty kicks.

Goals: HH – George Gans. NP – Camilo Londono.

Saves: NP – Raul Figueroa 6. HH – Jon Weaver 4.