SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
COVER PHOTO COURTESY NEW YORK RED BULLS
SHU PHOTO BY FELICIA LAGUERRE OWENS
The New York Red Bulls have made it to the MLS Championship Round, thanks to a 1-0 win over Orlando City SC. Defender John Tolkin whipped in a strong pass to Defender Andrea Reyes who scored the only goal in the 47th Minute. Defender Sean Nealis made his 157th Career appearance for the team. The 11-9-14 Red Bulls are the lowest seed at #7 to reach the title round in the Major League Soccer playoffs, where they will face the LA Galaxy.
Head coach Sandro Schwartz is the 12th Coach in MLS history to reach the championship stage in his first season as a head coach. After the game, Schwartz said he was happy for the accomplishment of winning the Eastern Conference finals.
The last time the Red Bulls reached the MLS Cup Final was back in 2008 in a loss to the Columbus Crew. Their journey can end either like the New York Liberty, who won their first title, or like the New York Yankees, who lost to a team from Los Angeles in the Dodgers.
In college basketball, the Seton Hall men’s basketball men team is struggling out of the gate. Despite being at home at the Prudential Center, they lost to Monmouth University for the first time ever, 63-51. Isaiah Coleman led the team with 20 points, while Chaunce Jenkins had 12 points. SHU is now 15-1 all time against Monmouth.
On the women’s side, the Lady Pirates were back at home this past Monday night at Walsh Gym and beat San Francisco 59-56. Seton Hall women’s basketball is now 6-2 on the season. Sophomore Savannah Catalon had a big 26 points and Shailyn Pinkney added 14.
As for the NJ high school, Cedar Grove lost their bid for a state title to Glassboro 56-14 at MetLife Stadium. By next week’s paper, we will see if the Shabazz Bulldogs win the state championship at Rutgers Stadium.
Speaking of Shabazz, they took on rival Weequahic in the annual Soul Bowl, but took a shocking upset 19-14. Leading Weequahic was Paul Jones who rushed for a touchdown and hit junior wide receiver Tyshawn Boyd for a touchdown in the first half of the game. Weequahic got out to a 17-0 in the first half, and held on for the Thanksgiving victory.
In another annual Thanksgiving game, the East Orange Campus Jaguars mauled their rival Barringer 62-0. East Orange finished their season 10-3.
Finally, in the NFL, the Giants became the first team to be eliminated from postseason contention by way of a 27-20 loss at the Cowboys on Thanksgiving. As for the Jets, they might as well hang it up after a 26-21 at home to the Seahawks. The highlight of the game saw former Jet lineman Leonard Williams run back an Aaron Rodgers interception 92 yards for a pick-6 TD.
