Dayton boys’ soccer 1 win away from repeating as North 2, Group 1 state champs; Bulldogs are at Secaucus in Nov. 10 final

The Dayton boys’ soccer team is back where it wants to be – playing for another sectional state championship.

Defending champion Dayton advanced to the North 2, Group 1 state championship match by winning at top-seeded New Providence 2-1 in a Nov. 7 semifinal match contested at Lieder Field.

It was a goal by sophomore Hunter Gollin off a rebound in the second overtime period that lifted the Bulldogs.

Fifth-seeded Dayton (17-3-1) will next play at third-seeded Secaucus (18-5) in the Nov. 10 N2, G1 state championship game in Hudson County.

Dayton defeated top-seeded Glen Ridge 2-1 in double overtime in last year’s final.

Senior Bryce Forys started the game-winning play for Dayton with a corner kick. After the first shot was saved, Gollin was there to put in the rebound to lift the Bulldogs to their 17^th victory overall and third in the section.

Anthony Nagy scored first for Dayton in the first half, off an assist from Diogo Barros. A goal by James Miller in the second half tied the game for the host Pioneers.

Dayton goalkeeper William Hodic made five saves, while New Providence goalie Dillon Konzelmann had eight.

Dayton began its state tournament play with a 10-1 first-round win at home over 12^th-seeded Palisades Park. Also at home, Dayton blanked 13^th-seeded Glen Ridge 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

Dayton has won nine straight and 16-of-18 after a 1-1-1 start.

Dayton finished 16-8-1 last year after falling to North 1, Group 1 champion Verona 1-0 in the Group 1 semifinal at Indian Hills.

2017 NORTH 2, GROUP 1

BOYS’ SOCCER PLAYOFFS

SEEDS: 1-New Providence. 2-Technology. 3-Secaucus. 4-Becton.

5-Dayton. 6-North 13^th Street Tech. 7-North Arlington. 8-Belvidere.

9-Roselle Park. 10-Ridgefield. 11-Roselle. 12-Palisades Park.

13-Glen Ridge. 14-Bloomfield Tech. 15-Brearley. 16-Hoboken.

FIRST ROUND:

New Providence 6, Hoboken 0

Belvidere 2, Roselle Park 0

Dayton 10, Palisades Park 1

Glen Ridge 2, Becton 1

Secaucus 11, Bloomfield Tech 1

Roselle 4, North 13^th Street Tech 1

Ridgefield 2, North Arlington 1

Technology 2, Brearley 1

QUARTERFINALS:

New Providence 2, Belvidere 0

Dayton 2, Glen Ridge 0

Secaucus 10, Roselle 1

Ridgefield 1, Technology 0

SEMIFINALS:

Dayton 2, New Providence 1 (2OT)

Secaucus 5, Ridgefield 0

FINAL:

Friday, Nov. 10

5-Dayton at 3-Secaucus