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Outstanding Goalkeeper For SHP

It was one of those regular-season Super Essex Conference matches that can easily fly under the radar and it received just a few paragraphs without even a mention of what was the absolute highlight of the afternoon as Seton Hall Prep edged West Essex, 1-0 back on Oct. 5.

The Pirates' senior goalkeeper Liam Collins stood face-to-face with one of his Cedar Stars club soccer buddies Thaman Bhatti as the Knights’ standout prepared to stroke his penalty kick opportunity.

He was going to trust his instincts, which have been enhanced from years of high-level soccer, whether it was during his New England days with the Boston Bolts MLS Next squad or here in Jersey with the Red Bulls and then the Cedar Stars.

In making just a perfect choice he proceeded to extend himself to come through with a simply great save according to those taking it all in.

“It was one of the best saves I’ve ever seen, and coming on a PK made it even more amazing,” said SHP 41st-year coach Marty Berman. “You had to see it to believe it as he made a full dive while making a strong one-handed play to get a piece of the ball and, as it rolled behind him, he pounced on it before their could be any opportunity on the rebound.

“Our defense has played well all season, but Liam has stood on his head to bail us out on several occasions, and that save was one that still stands out for me.”

Another of those other ‘standing-on-your-head’ type performances had come two weeks earlier when Collins made 10 saves, including several of the eye-popping-impressive variety, in a mid-September 1-0 loss to No. 2 ranked West Orange, as the Mountaineers struck with a late goal on a terrific well-placed 16-yard shot by Jatniel Vargas Espino with just 4:44 remaining in regulation.

Following his brilliant stop of a PK vs. West Essex off a shot taken by another high-level player the SHP stellar goalkeeper was appreciative of his continued top-shelf efforts, but perhaps even a bit understated in his assessment of just how great a save it was.

““I trusted in my ability as he went the other way and I guessed right,” said Collins. “It was an awesome feeling to stop that PK in what was a 0-0 game at the time, and on a shot taken by a friend from Cedar Stars.

“The biggest thing for me is doing whatever I can to help us win, and – fortunately – it all worked out there.”

The terrific performances have continued during the recently-completed Essex County Tournament including 11 saves as the third-seeded Pirates (12-6) edged second-seeded and still-then-second ranked West Orange, 3-2, in the ECT semifinals on Oct. 24, before another superb effort with 12 saves in a narrow 1-0 setback to No. 1 seed and No. 1 ranked St. Benedict’s in the Wednesday, Oct. 28, ECT final.

“Seton Hall Prep has an incredible goalie, who you watch make just amazing saves,” said West Orange coach and SHP graduate Doug Nevins. “He is definitely a great player who opponents have to try and deal with.”

For his continued recent stellar performances, the Cornell University-bound SHP senior net minder is the latest Parisi Fairfield/Sideline Chatter Athlete of the Week.  

Collins is built as much like a football tight end or linebacker at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, but with his quickness and time-honored first-rate fundamentals as a premier goalkeeper, he projects as a future collegiate player to watch for a nationally-ranked Cornell program.

“He’s a big kid with soft hands, great anticipation and is incredibly agile,” said Berman. “Plus, he has a great deal of high-level experience and a great command of the box.

“We’re a very young team this season and he’s been a great team leader who inspires the other kids around him in practice or in games, while also holding them accountable in a good way.”

Leadership is also something Collins shows in other activities in the community and beyond including in community service. As a freshman with Milford Academy in Massachusetts when his family was still living in the Boston areas, he spent time helping with a non-profit organization that assists student-athletes in Ghana and Senegal in an effort to help them gain access to soccer and education in the USA.

Lately, here in North Jersey, he has been volunteering along with girlfriend Nadia with Habitat For The Humanity in Randolph.

“We stock shelves, build things and get to interact with people who may need some help,” said Collins. “It always feels good to help others.”

The SHP senior is bilingual also speaking fluent French. And, the outstanding student enjoys his classes and fellow students at SHP, especially his AP Government and language classes as he continues to learn Italian.

His mom Kimberly Cozza, a successful real estate attorney, is Italian-American, while his dad, Brendan Collins, with an Irish family background, is a retired financial consultant.

He will continue with the Cedar Stars following the fall high school season and then graduate from SHP next spring.

Still, regardless of whatever future success there is bound to be in soccer and in academics as a future Ivy League student-athlete and beyond, The Prep will always hold a special place in his heart.

“When I was with the Red Bulls a couple of years back they liked their players to learn remotely, but I preferred to remain as a student at Seton Hall Prep, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” said Collins. “I love my teammates and playing for Coaches Marty and Matty (Berman), and Seton Hall Prep with all the great teachers and brotherhood has been an awesome experience for me.

“Without a doubt, playing for your high school team offers things you just don’t get with MLS Next, and I know that I’m going to miss driving up from school to our (Kelly) athletic complex, and I’m always going to have special memories being at The Prep!”

NOTES- Collins’ favorite goalkeeper at the professional level is Italian star Gianluigi Donnarumma who plays for Manchester City in the Premier League…His older brother Declan Collins is studying overseas at the prestigious University of Oxford in England…The Collins brothers’ mom and dad are both graduates of Boston College. Their mom Kimberly Cozza is from Long Island, N.Y., and dad Brendan Collins is from New Hampshire…Cornell, which is guided by head coach John Smith along with assistance from goalie coach Tyler Keever, entered recent action ranked No. 14 in the country in the United Soccer Coaches poll…Collins made his verbal commitment to Cornell on July 17…Because of his dual commitments with Cedar Stars last fall, Collins shared goalkeeping duties at SHP along with now graduated seniors Rocco Quillici and Jack Snyder…The rules changed for this fall in that players had to choose between playing either club/MLS Next soccer or with one’s high school soccer, and Collins chose the high school avenue for his senior season. ..SHP is the No. 3 seed in the Non-Public, North A state tournament bracket and will host sixth-seeded Pope John or 11th-seeded Oratory Prep on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the KAC. 

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