Saturday, November 12, 2011

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

Waldwick is all smiles after knocking off defending Group 1 state champion Wallington, 1-0, in the North 1, Group 1 state sectional final on Friday.

WALLINGTON – Last year was supposed to be Waldwick’s chance at winning section title and this year was supposed to be more of rebuilding season. After graduating nine senior starters, to simply improve as the season went on and make a run in the state tournament was all that head coach Jon Nochese could have asked for. But after knocking off a Leonia team that had beaten them twice during the regular season in the section quarterfinals and then taking out top-seeded Verona in penalty kicks in the semis, the Warriors stood just 80 minutes away from something only those from within the program thought was possible.

Facing a Group 1 power like Wallington on its home field is no easy task and Waldwick needed to make something happen. That is where Rikuo Nakamoto came into play with a sensational move that became the difference in the game.

Nakamoto spun off two defenders and sent a pass to the top of the box. Santiago Garzon was there to chip it over Wallington keeper David Podliesicki and watch it roll into the net with 7:36 to play to give fourth-seeded Waldwick its first North 1, Group 1 title since 2006 with a 1-0 upset over second-seeded and defending Group 1 state champ Wallington on Friday at Wallington High School.

Wallington has made its mark over the past decade by being incredibly stingy at home and overwhelming opponents early. The Panthers nearly scored just over a minute into the game when Hubert Dul zigzagged through the Waldwick defense and ripped a shot off the post. That seemed to wake up the Warriors more than anything else. Led by sweeper Eric Christiansen and fullback Matt Willson they did not give up another shot for the remainder of the half. Although the game was still scoreless at halftime, Waldwick was playing with the feeling that they dodged a bullet.

Hubert Dul hit a rocket off the post that nearly give Wallington a lead just over one minute into the game.

“They had a shot off the post and the wind at their back in the first half and we got out of it,” said Rikuo Nakamoto. “Now we had the wind on our side for the second half and we knew we would probably have more chances to score if we kept working hard.”

The second half started off similar to the first before both teams had a scoring chance in a three-minute span. Tokio Nakamoto slipped a ball wide and Michael Kubik’s shot was right at Waldwick netminder Zach Neugebauer. It had the feel of a game that was destined to be determined in overtime, if not penalty kicks. That was until Rikuo Nakamoto put a monkey wrench in that with one scintillating run.

After splitting two Wallington defenders and pinning them on his back, Nakamoto used some quick thinking and pulled off a Maradona (or what was formerly known as a two-touch spin move that was perfected by Argentine great Diego Maradona). He left the crowd gasping and the two defenders in his wake but, most importantly, he sent a good pass into the box.

“I had two guys trailing me and I just reacted to try and get some space,” said Rikuo Nakamoto. “The biggest thing there though was not being selfish and trying to rip a long shot. I saw (Garzon) open and fed the open teammate like you’re supposed to do.”

While the rest of the field was watching Nakamoto work his magic, Garzon was making a hard diagonal run toward the middle of the field. Just outside the top of the box, he one-touched Nakamoto’s pass and chipped it over Podliesicki and watched it trickle into the net for a 1-0 lead. It was the first goal Wallington had allowed in nearly 500 minutes of play (five straight shutouts).

Rikuo Nakamoto made a brilliant spin move to set up Waldwick's game-winning goal.

“When I saw the ball coming to me, I could see that I was by myself and I had to get the shot off,” said Garzon. “I know Wallington has a real good keeper and he was real aggressive all game. I figured he would be charging out at me so I just gave it a little chip. To go from where we started this year to scoring a game-winner in a section final, there aren’t really any words that can describe how I feel right now. I’m just happy we get to keep playing.”

Wallington (19-4) pressed forward but was unable to get off another shot as Waldwick (16-5-1) celebrated its first section title in five years.

Waldwick will look to pull yet another upset in the Group 1 semifinals against two-time defending North 2, Group 1 champ Glen Ridge, a 1-0 winner over top-seeded Harrison. After being shutout in its first two games of the year, the Warriors had improved vastly on both ends of the field. Even though their goal of being section champ was realized a year later than expected, to do it this year may have been even sweeter for Waldwick head coach Jon Nochese and his gritty side.

“To watch this team grow and gain confidence throughout the season has been joy to watch on a daily basis,” said Nochese. “Getting a win over a great team with a great coach (Wallington’s Mike Fromfield) on their home turf means we really earned it. To set a goal that seems so far away at the beginning of the season and then watch those kids start to believe that we could do it is an incredible feeling that will last with this group forever.”

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