PLAINSBORO — Sebastian Rincon’s excitement was heartfelt. Not only did the Hightstown High senior midfielder drive home the game-winning goal to give the Rams varsity boys’ soccer team a 2-1 double overtime victory at West Windsor-Plainsboro High North Tuesday, Rincon also earned head coach George Wolkiewicz’ team a share of the 2024 Colonial Valley Conference Valley Division title with Trenton High. The Rams, however, know that they also beat the Tornadoes in two overtimes this season, so, in their minds, they believe they are the real Valley Division champs. Under the new format, with each going 5-1 in divisional play, they share the crown. Yet, yesterday’s win did keep the Northern Knights from creating the possibility of a three-way Valley tie had Hightstown and Trenton lost. “From the beginning, that was our focus for the game,” Rincon said of chasing the Valley title. “Soccer is a game of moments, and we just took it. Even when they scored, we felt we had it right there. We just had to keep that mentality the rest of the game and through overtime.” After a ho-hum first half in which both sides only managed a handful of shots, Hightstown (6-7-1) got on the board first when senior midfielder Parker Gordon headed home a free kick from his classmate Edison Pillco 1:57 after intermission. But head coach Venkat Ramaprasad’s WW-P North squad (5-10) did not let the visitors expand upon their lead. The home team came close four times in the final 20 minutes of regulation, only to see the Rams’ defense hold tough. Then with 1:21 left in regulation, Northern Knights’ junior midfielder Aadhya Gangappa turned on a ball that senior forward Sidhant Somadathan had passed him in the box and put the tying goal into the far corner of the net. “We started slow today, but even after (they scored) one goal, we knew we had to persevere through it,” Gangappa said. “Not much changed after we scored because we knew we still had the rest of the game to get after it. After regulation, our eyes were on the overtime periods.” The teams held each other in check through the first 10 minutes of OT before Rincon crashed through and kicked in the game-winner as WW-P North’s defense tried to clear a throw-in with 6:51 left in the second OT. “Definitely, that was the biggest goal I’ve scored this year,” Rincon said. “I just saw the ball bouncing, and I took the shot.” Rincon shared his heartfelt excitement with his teammates, who mobbed him after the winning score to celebrate Hightstown doubling its win total from 2023 on the way to grabbing a division title. Hightstown (6-7-1)             0   1   0   1    —    2 WW-P North (5-10)            0   1   0   0    —    1 Goals: Gordon, Rincon (H), Gangappa (WWN); Assists: Pillco (H), Somadathan (WWN). Shots: 7 (H), 8 (WWN); Saves: Arevalo 5, Velecela 1 (H), Paladugu 5, Mallick 0 (WWN).