Delbarton soccer ends Hanover Park's Cinderella run through Morris County Tournament
ROXBURY — Owen Miller didn't have a specific spot to hang the Morris County Tournament plaques. The Delbarton sophomore was planning to put them in his room, perhaps next to the one he'd won a year earlier.
But the Otto Haas Most Valuable Player plaque? That needed special treatment.
Miller scored all three goals as the Green Wave ended Hanover Park's Cinderella run, 3-0, on Saturday night. Delbarton has won eight of the past 10 MCT titles, 14 since the event began in 1976.
Miller was called up to varsity in time for the MCT final as a freshman last fall. But this year, he had bigger goals in mind.
Miller scored 10 minutes into the match, with about three minutes to go before halftime, and with 7:48 left to play. It is his first high school hat trick.
"This is amazing," said Miller, a Long Hill resident. "Especially in the Morris County final, it means a lot to be able to put three in the net."
Boys soccer: 2023 Morris County Tournament bracket, scores, schedule
Boys soccer: 2023 Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament bracket, schedule, scores
Senior goalkeeper James Anroman and the Green Wave back line posted its third shutout of the MCT. The biggest test came on a Hanover Park flurry early in the second half, when one shot ricocheted off the post and the rebound was blocked by defender Brady Hyland.
"We did our homework, watched our film on Hanover Park, and exploited them," said Anroman, who transferred from Morristown after his sophomore year. "I really have no words. To win it, and play for your badge, for your school, it really means a lot."
No Cinderella story
This was the Hornets' first trip to a MCT final since the historic 1993 season. Given the seventh seed by the coaches, Hanover Park felt like it definitely had something to prove.
The Hornets took care of No. 2 Mount Olive, 3-1, in a quarterfinal and then shut out high-powered Morris Knolls in double overtime to reach Saturday's final.
Hanover Park has yet to win a boys or girls soccer MCT title.
"We're not even close to satisfied," Hornets senior co-captain James Mochnal said. "This feeling after the loss, I don't think anyone on this team wants to feel it again the rest of the season. We want to go all the way."
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ boys soccer: Delbarton Hanover Park Morris County Tournament final
