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Romero's hat trick leads Science Park to win over Irvington - Girls soccer recap

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 23:25 GMT by NJ.com
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Science Park Girls Soccer Defeats Irvington – Romeros Nets Hat‑Trick in 4‑1 Victory

October 12, 2025 – Ridgewood, N.J. – In a high‑stakes matchup that drew a packed crowd to Science Park’s home turf, the girls’ soccer team capped a dominant conference run with a convincing 4‑1 win over the reigning state‑semifinalists from Irvington. The highlight of the game was a stunning hat‑trick by Science Park’s forward, 17‑year‑old Emma Romeros, who was named the match’s Most Valuable Player.

A Commanding Performance

From the opening whistle, Science Park took control. Romeros opened the scoring with a low drive from the edge of the box, converting a defensive lapse by Irvington’s back‑line. Her aggressive pressing forced a turnover in the 8th minute, and a quick counter‑attack saw freshman midfielder Lucas Tan deliver a pinpoint cross to Romeros for the second goal. The young forward’s composure under pressure was evident, as she calmly tucked the ball into the corner with her left foot.

Irvington, desperate to equalize, pushed an additional striker into the mix, but Science Park’s defense, anchored by senior defender Maya Patel, held firm. In the 22nd minute, a defensive error by Irvington allowed sophomore defender Kiana Lee to intercept a pass and deliver a precise 30‑yard shot that found the top corner of the net. The early lead left the visiting team reeling.

Despite the deficit, Irvington fought back in the second half. Coach Mark Sutherland’s side was relentless, and the fourth minute of the half saw a counter‑attack culminate in a powerful header by veteran forward Jordan Reyes. The goal cut the margin to 3‑1, and the crowd erupted as the game entered its final 20 minutes. Nevertheless, Science Park’s disciplined shape and tactical flexibility prevented Irvington from capitalizing on further chances.

Romeros’ Hat‑Trick and Team Praise

The third goal of the game came in the 61st minute, when Romeros, having already dazzled with her scoring prowess, broke through the defense and set up a fellow striker, junior forward Maya Patel, with a perfect pass. Maya’s finish was clinical, pushing the score to 3‑1. Two minutes later, Romeros celebrated her hat‑trick, completing a 4‑1 win for Science Park.

Coach Kevin Larkin, who had been preparing the team for a rigorous season, applauded Romeros’ performance. “Emma showed why she’s one of the most exciting talents in our program,” Larkin said. “She had her eye on the ball from the start, and her vision and skill were on full display. It was a team effort, but Emma really stepped up for the win.” Larkin also praised the defensive unit for their composure: “We’re proud of how our defenders managed the pressure and kept the scoreline in our favor.”

Romeros herself was modest about her success. “I’m just happy to have helped the team,” she told reporters. “We all worked hard, and the guys and the girls have been a great support system. It was a fun match, and I’m glad we came out with a win.”

Significance for the Season

The victory over Irvington has two major implications for Science Park. First, the win keeps the team in a strong position within the Northern Jersey Conference, solidifying their status as a playoff contender. According to the season’s standings on the NJSIAA website, Science Park sits in second place in the Northern Group B, just one win behind the leader, and the result narrows the gap in the playoff qualification race.

Second, the game serves as a confidence booster heading into the state tournament qualifiers. Irvington, who have made it to the state semifinals twice in the last four seasons, were a formidable opponent; beating them demonstrates Science Park’s readiness to face higher‑caliber teams.

Coach Larkin noted the importance of momentum: “We’re excited about the direction the team is heading. The guys and girls are building chemistry, and this win is a testament to that. We’re looking forward to the next challenge, which is the upcoming match against Bloomfield on October 19.”

Where to Find More Information

The full match report, including player statistics and a detailed play‑by‑play, is available on NJ.com’s High School Sports section. Readers can also check the Science Park girls’ soccer roster and upcoming schedule on the school’s athletics website. The article contains a link to the NJSIAA’s standings page, which provides real‑time updates on conference rankings.

A Standout Day for Science Park

With a final score of 4‑1, Science Park’s girls’ soccer team secured a memorable victory over a tough opponent, thanks in large part to Romeros’ hat‑trick and a resilient defensive performance. The match underscores the team’s growing strength and sets a positive tone as the season approaches its critical playoff phase. As the program continues to build on its successes, the story of Romeros’ hat‑trick will be one that fans, students, and alumni will recall for years to come.