That's not the official slogan of the Rancocas Valley boys' soccer team, but it sums up the Red Devils' philosophy.

Take yesterday. Two days before the start of the coaches tournament and one week before the cutoff for the state tournament, Rancocas Valley played the No. 2 team in the NSCAA/Adidas national rankings, St. Benedict's Prep of Newark.

But the remarkable thing about the Red Devils isn't just their willingness to play the Gray Bees. It's their ability to beat them.

Getting goals from Terrell White and Manny Payton, plus spectacular play from midfielder Alec Golini and goalie Jacob Kapulskey, Rancocas Valley beat St. Benedict's, 2-1, on a cool, cloudy afternoon at the athletic complex in Eastampton.

"I tell you this: In 25 years, no team has ever beaten us two years in a row," St. Benedict's coach Rick Jacobs said. "They're better than us. They've been better than us two years in a row."

It was a signature victory for the Red Devils. It also was a repeat performance.

Last season, Rancocas Valley went into Newark on a Saturday night and beat St. Benedict's by a 2-1 score. It was the Gray Bees' only loss in a 21-1 season.

This time, the result marked St. Benedict's first loss of the season. They are 10-1.

"That's the best team I've ever played against - club, high school, anywhere," said Golini, whose superb play led to both Rancocas Valley goals.

Earlier this season, Rancocas Valley played Salesianum, the best team in Delaware and the No. 4 team in the NSCAA/Adidas Region 4 rankings. The Red Devils lost in overtime.

They also played North Jersey power Delbarton, the No. 10 team in the NSCAA/Adidas Region 3 rankings. They won in overtime.

And it's not like Rancocas Valley needs to venture outside its own division to find spirited competition. The Burlco Liberty is arguably the best boys' soccer division in South Jersey, with three teams – Rancocas Valley in Group 4, Moorestown in Group 3 and Delran in Group 2 – that made the 2008 state finals.

Scheduling philosophies always are a hot topic in soccer at this time of the year. Just this week, four programs – Haddonfield's boys and girls, as well as Delran's boys and Haddon Township's girls – declined invitations to compete in the coach's tournament.

It's important to note that all four programs are Group 2, which surely limits their depth in comparison to a Group 4 team such as Rancocas Valley. And all four clearly regard conference races as well as the coming state tournament as higher priorities than the coaches' tournament.

That's a valid position. But those kinds of decisions only underscore Rancocas Valley's bold approach.

The Red Devils want to win another state title. They want to make it back to the finals of the coaches' tournament. They want to capture another Burlco Liberty crown.

But they believe - and again, it's easier to think this way as a Group 4 school - that the hard road is the best road.

"That's us," Rancocas Valley coach Damon Petras said. "We want to be prepared for the state tournament. We want to win the coaches tournament. We think playing games like this are the best way to get ready."

This was high-level soccer, with great action. Rancocas Valley played a defensive game, dropping four defenders. But the Red Devils looked to counter and made the most of their opportunities.

Golini got loose in the box and blasted a shot that hit a defender and ricocheted to White. The senior forward buried his chance for a 1-0 lead in the first half.

Golini sent Payton through with a great pass midway in the second half. Payton converted his chance, too, and it was 2-0.

St. Benedict's roared back. The Gray Bees looked every bit like the No. 2 team in the nation in the last 10 minutes, as they got one goal from Sammy Adjei - who just returned from a week of training with the under-18 national team in California - and pressured frantically in pursuit of the tying score.

"Longest 10 minutes of my life," said Kapulskey, who finished with 12 saves.

The final horn set off a wild celebration. Kapulskey sprinted to midfield and slid on his knees. Players piled atop one another.

"It's pretty miraculous," Golini said.

Anybody, anywhere, anytime.

It's one thing to schedule these games. The Red Devils' neatest trick is to win them.

St. Benedict's 0 1 - 1

Rancocas Valley 1 1 - 2

Goals: RV–Terrell White, Manny Payton. SB–Sammy Adjei.

Saves: RV–Jacob Kapulskey 12; SB–Chris Lands 4.

or panastasia@phillynews.com.