The Eagles Varsity boys soccer team clinched a 3–2 away-game win against Perth Amboy, scoring a goal with 1.6 seconds remaining in double overtime on Thursday.

“It was truly an unreal finish to a very tough game,” said Assistant Varsity Coach Mr. Chuck Jammal.

Going into the game, Edison’s morale was high because of their six-game winning streak–a win would place them at the top of their division. From prior experiences, the Eagles were conscious of Perth Amboy’s fast-playing style, tight-knit defense, and technically-gifted players. 

Earlier in the game, Simeon Thomas ‘23 received a long throw-in from Jayden Jackson ‘23, one of Edison’s captains, and made a “beautiful header,” as Jammal described it. Possession was even, and the score was level at the end of the first half.

During the second half, Perth Amboy found the back of the net quickly, tying the score at 1–1. Eventually, the Eagles conceded a penalty kick. Goalkeeper George Kostis ‘26 made a great effort at a save, but Perth Amboy managed one more goal. This resulted in a 2–1 match, with Edison down for the first time in the game. 

Many of the Eagles’ offensive efforts were thwarted for the remainder of the match. However, with two minutes left, Petar Petreski ‘23 sent a cutting through ball to Jackson. Jackson would then dummy the ball, letting it go to fellow captain, Rayan Shah ‘23. This would leave Shah and Perth Amboy keeper Logan Degaona in a 1 v 1. Shah took on Degaona with a successful body feint, making room for himself to place the ball in the bottom left corner. Shah’s goal leveled the score at 2–2, taking the game into overtime.

Isaiah Charles ‘23, another Edison captain, noted the moment. 

“I knew going into overtime that we had the momentum, and we used that to carry us through injuries to a victory,” Charles said.  

For the first half of overtime, the Eagles posed multiple challenges to Amboy’s defense but could not converge on many opportunities. “In the first half, we were pounding them with shot after shot, but we couldn’t find the back of the net,” said right back Qasim Malik ‘22. Nine minutes into second overtime, the Eagles’ offense struggled to penetrate a strong opposing defense.

“Our chances of winning seemed to be dwindling,” said Jammal. 

Eventually, the announcer started the fifteen-second countdown. Charles manufactured an opportunity by intercepting a pass and making a long ball to Thomas. Thomas then took on a defender, cut the ball back, and made a driven cross to Jackson, who was ready at the top of the eighteen-yard box. With four seconds remaining, Jackson took control of the ball and created just enough space to put it into the bottom left corner, bringing the score to 3–2, with 1.6 seconds remaining.

The fans and team flooded the left corner of the field, where the Eagles players were celebrating the goal. Initially, Jammal and Varsity Head Coach Mr. Steve Rubin were unreactive. Mostly in disbelief, they weren’t sure whether the Eagles had scored in time; once they got confirmation, they celebrated the goal with their players.

“Game of the year!” Jammal later exclaimed. 

Not getting caught up in the moment, the Eagles recognized their opposition’s efforts and shook hands in a gesture of good sportsmanship before continuing to celebrate.

“Everyone was super excited, with the bench, coaches, and fans running onto the field,” said Sudays Ahmed ‘23.  “As a team captain, I couldn’t be more proud of my boys that we secured a win that set us up for a division title.”

“I don’t think anyone on the team, myself included, was expecting to end like that. The bus ride home was electric,” said Jammal. “It’s hard to describe the feeling of winning a game at the legitimate last second of the game, not to mention taking the lead in the White division with that win.”

Game statistics are available from NJ.com.