Soccer teams set for Saturday's state title games

As sequel to a wild comeback, Delran and Cliffside Park stage a boys' soccer state championship rematch Saturday - a year after they finished as Group 2 state co-champions.

In last year's final, Cliffside Park took a 2-1 lead on a goal with just 74 seconds left in regulation. As the Cliffside Park fans were making their way to the field, they took a U-turn after Delran's Dominic Nocito scored nine seconds later.

The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Now, the two renew the rivalry for the Group 2 crown as Delran (20-2-2) meets Cliffside Park (20-1-1) at 1:30 p.m., at the same Hillsborough High field.

Besides Delran, three other teams from the seven-county South Jersey area are in state championship games Saturday: the boys' squad from Palmyra and the girls' teams from Lenape and Haddonfield.

Delran is ranked No. 2 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, while Cliffside Park is rated No. 20 in the latest ESPN Rise national soccer rankings.

"Both teams were itching to get back at each other after last year tying as cochampions," Delran coach Mike Otto said. "We kind of expected to see them again and we're excited."

Many of the central figures remain. Nocito, who had both Delran goals in the game, has 12 goals and seven assists. Senior Ali Gocmez leads Delran with 14 goals after scoring in Tuesday's 1-0 state Group 2 semifinal win over West Deptford.

Cliffside Park junior Exau Pau, who scored both goals last year against Delran, has 16 goals and eight assists. Junior goalie Pedro Sanchez has 12 shutouts for the Red Raiders, who returned 10 of 11 starters from last year.

"We were looking for two rematches, one was with Ramsey, who we beat on Tuesday and the other with Delran," said Cliffside Park coach Jim Fucci, whose team lost to Ramsey in the 2007 postseason.

Fucci is impressed with the Bears, especially the play of goalie Brad Schmidt.

"Delran is big and physical and have a good kid between the pipes," Fucci said. "It is really important for us to get on the board first."

Palmyra (16-4-4) will seek its first state boys' soccer title when the Panthers meet Jonathan Dayton (17-6) in Satruday's 4 p.m., Group 1 championship at Hillsborough.

Sophomore Ryan Butler, Palmyra's leading scorer with 21 goals, missed the Panthers' shootout win over Metuchen in the state semifinal on Tuesday with a pulled tendon in his right calf. The game was scoreless through regulation and overtime, and Palmyra won 3-2 in the penalty kick segment.

According to Palmyra coach Mike Papenberg, Butler will be a game-time decision. Senior midfielder Jon Petitte has complemented Butler by scoring 11 goals.

Jonathan Dayton advance by defeating Wallington, 2-1 in the state semifinal on goals by Roy Cabrera and Kenny Pereira.

The girls' team at Lenape will attempt to put the finishing touches on another incredible run. Ranked No. 1 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, Lenape (22-1) takes on Westfield (21-0-2) in Saturday's 11:45 a.m., Group 4 final at the College of New Jersey.

Lenape is the two-time defending state champion and has won 15 consecutive postseason games over a three-year span.

"I would think our playoff experience helps a little but not a whole lot," Lenape coach Kevin Meder said. "We know we're going up against a tough team that has allowed three goals all season."

Lenape is led in scoring by sophomores Katie Rigby (12 goals, 14 assists), and Courtney Kovac (9 goals, 8 assists). The defense is strong, with unsung senior marking back Carley Carmody expected to play a key role. Carmody and fellow defender Carolyn Wiley are Rider recruits.

One of Westfield's leaders is senior defender Becca Kape, a Manhattan University recruit. The Blue Devils have received major scoring from senior Amanda Markowski (13 goals, 11 assists), junior Hannah Kronick (13 goals, 10 assists) and junior Sam Costello (10 goals, 5 assists).

Haddonfield (22-1-1) will meet Mahwah (18-4-1) in Satruday's 4:15 p.m., Group 2 girls' soccer final at the College of New Jersey.

In 2007, Haddonfield was the Group 2 state champion and last year, the Bulldogs were South Jersey champs.

"Mahwah has a lot of talented players, including all-Bergen County first-team midfielder Brittney Albrecht," Haddonfield coach Glenn Gess said. "We will have to mark her out."

Albrecht scored twice in Mahwah's 3-1 state semifinal win over Bernards.

Haddonfield had a convincing 4-0 state semifinal win over Cinnaminson, with Emily Grabiak one of four goals scorers giving her a team-high 15 on the year.

Kathleen Jordan (12 goals) and Sarah Dudek (11 goals) are just two more of the many goal-scoring threats for a balanced Haddonfield team.

Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com