"I had no doubt Sonimi would be ready to go when he stepped on the field," Ortzman said. "He's a warrior. And that's really been what our team is about this year - they're absolute warriors."
When play resumed, Halliday was an integral part of an onslaught that ended with senior Giuseppe DeLuca netting the winner seven minutes into overtime against Seneca, sealing Timber Creek's third straight division title.
It was the first milestone in a season in which the experienced Chargers (12-2-1) are determined, at the very least, to win the Group 3 sectional title.
For Ortzman, the win was just another expected chapter in the storied careers of his four seniors, the leaders of his team, who all have played varsity since their freshman years.
"We had very lofty goals coming into this season," said Ortzman, whose Chargers have won 11 of 12 games and will play Egg Harbor Township on Friday in the second round of the Coaches Tournament.
"And these seniors took those goals very seriously. From the first day of the preseason, they've been on fire and they haven't stopped. And the rest of the team has followed."
Those four players - Halliday, DeLuca, striker Jeff Morgan, and keeper Andrew Garcia - are among the top players in South Jersey.
Each has played the hero at times this season and the four, along with the team's other 11 returning letter-winners, are poised to surpass last year's disappointing 1-0 loss in the sectional finals.
"We've been working for this season, really since we were in sixth grade," Halliday said. "Basically, our entire starting 11 went to middle school together, and we won a championship together in eighth grade. We have good chemistry, and we want to end our last year together with a win."
