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Morristown West’s Cole Grimaldi had a Senior Night to remember Monday evening.

Taking on crosstown rival Morristown East, Grimaldi found himself in the box with the ball four minutes into extra time. Grimaldi created space and calmly fired a shot into the back of the net that gave the Trojans a 4-3 win over the ‘Canes.

It was Grimaldi’s second goal of the match, the first coming late in the first half. Grimaldi has battled injuries all season that has limited his playing time. However on Tuesday, he gutted it out and was the difference maker.

“Cole was outstanding today,” Morristown West coach Jonathan Hanna said. “That’s probably the most minutes he has played in a game all year. He’s had calf injuries and hip injuries, but he came in today and played excellent. Overall, he did a really good job. He took his two goals really, really well.”

It was a tale of two halves as West dominated possession in the first half. That led to a goal 14 minutes in by Franqui Diaz on a free kick just outside of the box.

Then, with the first half coming to a close, Grimaldi dribbled down the right side, cut into the box and slotted a ball past the keeper to make it 2-0 at the break.

“We just played to our strengths,” Hanna said about the first half. “In the second half, we looked like a different team. We gave them possession and too many free kicks. That’s just the way it goes. You have to take the plus with the minus.”

However, in the second half East flipped the switch and came out a team determined. The ‘Canes controlled possession for much of the 40 minutes and cashed in when they had their opportunities.

“We were controlling in that second half and even in extra time,” East coach Luis Sanchez said. “We were up and pushing. For the first time since I started coaching, I saw fear on (West’s) faces. That means a lot.

“We’re a new team; we have 15 new kids this year. We’re working hard in practice, and I think that showed tonight. It was a great game overall, and I think we showed what we have learned throughout the season.”

The change in the match started early in the second half as East hit the post on a free kick. With another free kick in the 60th minute just outside the box, East got on the scoreboard as Alfredo Hernandez curled one into the back of the net.

Things seemed to be going in East’s favor following the goal, however, Grimaldi was fouled in the box by East keeper Fredy Rivera in the 67th minute. Dylan Lopez took the penalty and converted from the spot to up the West lead to 3-1.

But East was not deterred and scored just one minute later as Bryan Godines cut it to 3-2. Then, with just five minutes remaining in the match, Hernandez tied the match with his second goal off a free kick.

“I am proud of him,” Sanchez said. “We have been working a lot on attitude. They’re all great players but sometimes they get in their heads and talk back to the refs or do something to get sent off. That’s been the story against West for a while now. That didn’t happen today, and we held our cool and maintained our level. Alfredo is a sophomore. We have two more years with him. I have big hopes for him and a lot of the younger players.”

In extra time, East almost ended the game three minutes in as Jacob Farmer headed a ball that just went wide. Following the miss, West quickly moved the ball to their side of the field where Grimaldi made a nice move to find space and sent one past a diving Rivera to win the match.

While the win against East is always big, it also gave West a 1-0 start to district play.

“It gives us a foot hold,” Hanna said. “We have a tough game against Sevier here on Thursday night, so tonight sets the basis for what needs to be done. Coming in today, we were playing a rivalry game and emotions were high. That went against us more than anything today. But to come out with a win is big.”

West will be back in action on Thursday as they host Sevier County at 7 p.m. for another large district match.

For East, they will be back at home on Friday night at 7 p.m. as they host David Crockett.

“We just need to keep our heads up and keep our chests out,” Sanchez said. “I told them to walk out of here doing that because we did something good. We came back from 2-0 down and turned it around on them and made them doubt. We need to let this be the standard for the rest of the season and for the playoffs. If we play like this the rest of the way, ain’t no stopping us.”