Boys soccer state tournament preview & picks, 2024: North 1 semifinals

3-Glen Rock (14-2-3) at 2-West Essex (12-6-3)

West Essex has orchestrated one of the biggest year-over-year turnarounds of any team in North Jersey this year after going 1-11-3 in 2023. This year, while moving down from North 1, Group 3 to North 1, Group 2, the Knights are back in the section semis and have made easy work of their first two postseason opponents, beating 14th-seeded Newton, 3-0, in the first round and then 10th-seeded Westwood, 3-1, in the quarterfinals. This marks West Essex‘s deepest run since the Knights made the section semis in 2010. The Knights have played a tough schedule with teams like Columbia, Waldwick, Belleville, Glen Ridge, Cranford, MKA and Seton Hall Prep, among others, so coach Rob Grosso‘s group is a well-tested one.

Glen Rock got knocked out in the first round last year as the six-seed by 11th-seeded Indian Hills, but Glen Rock has shown no signs of slowing down to start the state tournament. The Panthers have won five in a row, including an 8-2 first round win over Manchester Regional and a 3-0 win over Mahwah in the quarterfinals. Coach Matt Beverin’s group also has a high-powered offense thanks in part to the exploits of Alex Kim (15 goals, 16 assists), Harrison Wortley (21 goals, eight assists) and Drew Carlin (six goals, 15 assists) and have major experience in net with Andrew Eisenberg (61 saves, 10 shutouts).

The pick: Glen Rock Article Link Bracket