ROCKAWAY – In a time of need, Northern Highlands counted on two seniors to get across the finish line.
First the strong words from Cassidy Gallagher.
Then the strong shots by Lyla Geller.
Their leadership and a stifling midfield in between them helped the Highlanders pull away in the second half and down Morris Knolls, 3-1, to repeat as North 1, Group 3 champions on Thursday afternoon.
The title match in Rockaway got off to a blistering start with each team scoring in the first two minutes as fans were still trickling in.
But as the game wore on, Geller was simply too much to handle. The Columbia commit turned in a masterful performance by scoring three goals and burning one defender after another down the left sideline. Coach Tara Madigan described it as her best game in a Highlander uniform.
"I've been playing on this team for four years and each year we seem to get better and better," Geller said. "I knew we were going to win. I knew that ball was going to be driven into the back of the net. I knew that whatever I had to do to – put my body on the line – anything, I needed to score."
Northern Highlands is averaging over four goals a game for the first time since 2013 and Geller has been at the heart of it as the team's leading scorer. But as good as Geller was on Thursday, it wasn't always smooth sailing for the fourth seed. Morris Knolls absorbed the early punch and threw one back 18 seconds later on a goal by Lucia Nash.
With the score tied at one at half, Northern Highlands huddled up in the south corner of Caruso Stadium and its starting centerback knew that something had to change.
"On defense, we had to up that level," Gallagher said. "I gave a very strong-worded speech at halftime as did everyone else. They kind of just woke up and realized that there was no way they could score any more goals on us."
"It was them," Madigan said. "When you're coaching, you sit back and you're like they get it. You don't have to do much."
What it means
Northern Highlands (17-3) will host Chatham in the Group 3 semifinals on Monday with a chance to write another chapter in its redemption story.
Getting to the sectional final required the Highlanders to beat Old Tappan and Ramapo – the only two teams that beat them this year. Now Northern Highlands will face the same team that ended its season last November one stop before the state finals.
"We are not done yet," Geller said. "No one is satisfied yet. It feels great to get that sectional title but we're back tomorrow. We're back to business."
Morris Knolls finished the season at 17-5-1 and recorded its highest win total since 2018.
Inside the match
Northern Highlands took full control in the second half on the way to its third sectional title in five seasons.
The Highlanders pinned Morris Knolls in its own end for long stretches and broke through for the winner in the 48th minute. Sorcha Powell chipped in a pass from the right side and Geller headed it home for her team-leading 23nd goal of the season. With about 14 minutes left, Geller added to that total with an inch-perfect rip from about 25 yards out.
"Lyla is a fantastic player," Gallagher said. "Not only 1-for-1, but she can shoot around you pretty quick. It's really a privilege to be on a team with her."
Geller had plenty of opportunities to touch the ball with Northern Highlands turning back Morris Knolls time and time again in the middle of the field. Senior Ava Andicoechea was excellent there while working alongside Powell, Maddie Knapp, Julia Buono and others off the bench.
Senior goalie Avery Hirsch only had to make one save in the second half and three overall.
"We have 15 seniors and all of us want to win," Gallagher said. "The fact that every game could be our last gives us more incentive to go out every game and play our best."