Newark Central Ended East Side Tournament Streak
Newark Central secured a 1-0 overtime victory to advance to the Newark Public Schools Tournament final.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Soccer
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Newark Central defeated six-time defending champion Newark East Side 1-0 in overtime at Eddie Moraes Stadium. The win moves Newark Central to their first tournament final appearance since 2018.
Why it matters
The victory signifies a major shift in the city tournament hierarchy, as Newark East Side entered the match as the six-time defending champion. Newark Central will now face Barringer, who earned their spot by defeating Shabazz 5-1.
Newark Central keeper Souare Moussa recorded four saves to secure the shutout victory. The team currently holds an overall season record of 6-1-2.
The players
Fritz Salens St. Hilaire
He is the Newark Central player who scored the winning goal in the semifinal match.
Souare Moussa
He is the Newark Central goalkeeper who recorded four saves in the shutout.
Christopher Sevilla
He is the Newark Central player who provided the assist for the winning goal.
Newark East Side
They are a local soccer program and the six-time defending champion of the Newark Public Schools Tournament.
Barringer
They are the high school soccer team that will face Newark Central in the championship match.
The details
Fritz Salens St. Hilaire scored the deciding goal in overtime following an assist from Christopher Sevilla. The match, held in the Ironbound neighborhood, ended the long-standing reign of Newark East Side in the tournament semifinals.
Timeline
2018: Newark Central last appeared in the tournament final.
Monday: Barringer defeated Shabazz in their semifinal match.
Saturday: The tournament final between Newark Central and Barringer is scheduled.
The Big Picture
This victory marks a significant shift in the Newark Public Schools Tournament, where Newark East Side has historically dominated with 19 total titles. By ending the six-year championship streak, Newark Central has effectively reconfigured the competitive balance of the league.
Newark Central will move on to play Barringer for the championship trophy this weekend. The loss eliminates Newark East Side, preventing them from extending their six-year title defense run.
The takeaway
The upset demonstrates the unpredictability of local tournament play when long-standing defensive streaks are challenged. Fans and students should prepare for a new championship dynamic as the tournament final approaches on Saturday.
What happens next
Newark Central is scheduled to face Barringer in the Newark Public Schools Tournament final this Saturday at Schools Stadium.
Further reading
For more on regional matches, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NJ.
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