North Caldwell, NJ — West Essex put up a strong fight but came up just short in a tightly contested 7-6 loss. Despite an impressive offensive effort and solid defensive play, the Knights were unable to overcome their opponent in the final minutes. Gaetano Iavarone was a standout for the Knights, leading all scorers with 2 goals, 4 assists, and 6 ground balls, consistently creating scoring opportunities. Luca Tartara added a goal and an assist, while Tyler Fiore also contributed a goal and an assist. Luke DeMarco and Anthony Conforti each chipped in with a goal to keep West Essex in the game. On the defensive end, Matt Capra caused two crucial turnovers, while goalie Teddy Skopak delivered a strong performance with 11 saves to keep the Knights within striking distance. Despite their resilience, West Essex couldn’t find the equalizer in the closing moments. The team will look to bounce back in their next matchup as they continue to build on their strong play.