In a heart-stopping overtime game, Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child’s Varsity Soccer Team, No. 4 in the county, battled valiantly against their crosstown rivals in the Union County Tournament Championship on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Clark’s Arthur L. Johnson High School.

It was Oak Knoll’s fourth-ever appearance in the tournament final. The last time Oak Knoll won the county championship was in 2003, and before that, 2002.

Summit, No. 3, previously beat the Royals 3-1 when they met earlier in the season. On Saturday, the Hilltoppers exited sudden-death overtime play victorious with a score of 1-0.

The loss comes on the heels of one of the season’s biggest upsets — Oak Knoll’s semifinal win against top-ranked Westfield that ended the team’s 54-game winning streak. Westfield previously beat the Royals 6-0 in the regular season.

The Royals (9-6) return to the field on Monday, October 21, at Immaculata High School at 6 p.m. They also head to the first round of the NJSIAA Non-Public State Tournament on Friday, October 27.