Morris Knolls/Morris Hills hockey scores in final minute to win Public Co-Op state title

NEWARK — It's not about how you start, but rather how you finish.

Morris Knolls/Hills were 7-11-1 when they were ousted out of the Mennen Cup semifinals a month ago. On Monday, they hoisted the program's fifth state title in their history. The difference maker for the Golden Eagles came off the stick of senior Eli Singley. Singley's first goal of the season and third of his career came with 38.4 seconds to go and lifted his team to a 4-3 win at Prudential Center over two-time defending champion Gov. Livingston/New Providence in the Public Co-Op state final.

"I was that kid once hoping for that opportunity," Singley said. "Two years ago, I saw us lose in the final to the same team and hope to make the most out of an opportunity. It feels great to come back here and get that moment."

The Golden Eagles withstood a barrage from the Highlanders all afternoon and had been fighting uphill throughout the postseason as the No. 6 seed in the North bracket. Morris Knolls/Morris Hills defeated the top three seeds in their bracket to win the sectional title before taking down the top seed from the South bracket.

"We're grit, we're physical and we never quit," coach Tim Kepler said. "It's definitely a good day to be a Golden Eagle."

Morris Knolls/Morris Hills came strong out of the gate, heading on a power play on a tripping penalty in the opening moments. Junior Dylan Williams made it count, burying a rebound to give the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead after the game's first 41 seconds.

Senior Jackson Benward responded for the Highlanders, receiving a feed in front of the net and scoring the equalizer four minutes later. Benward's 100th career point in his final high school hockey game tied the game at one. Four minutes later, Brady Silverman gave the Highlanders the lead as the senior's 35th goal of the season put Gov. Livingston/New Providence ahead after one period, 2-1.

That lead expanded in the second period when Anthony Labisi poked in a rebound near the post, doubling the Gov. Livingston lead to 3-1 with 11:39 left in the middle period. Morris Knolls/Morris Hills would respond with quality chances and not be able to put one in the net until senior Michael Simone's shot from just outside the circle cut the deficit in half at 3-2 by the second intermission. It wasn't the first time that the Golden Eagles were trailing and refused to give up.

"I never lost faith," senior Jack Martinez said. "Coming back from an injury, I was not supposed to be back this soon, but I was needed to get back and be a part of this team. You can't doubt your team because good things come out of it."

In the third period, Jake McCloud's 33rd goal of the season tied the game with 9:14 left in the third period. With overtime looming, the Golden Eagles continued to push forward and Singley's heroics followed. Shooting from one knee in front of the net, the game-winner resulted in immediate hugs from teammates and jubilation a minute later when triple zeroes were on the clock.

"He just had the moment of his life right now," Kepler said. "It's great to see a kid like that get a moment like that. He's worked so hard over the last month especially for us and he's on the ice in that moment because of how hard he works."

Morris Knolls/Hills joins Delbarton, Brick Township, Christian Brothers and Randolph as the only five schools with at least five state championships.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Morris Knolls/Morris Hills hockey scores late to win state title