Delran boys advance in soccer playoffs
This was a quarterfinal boys' soccer struggle disguised as a championship affair. R.J. Ruff headed in a ball 34 seconds into the first overtime as second seeded Delran beat No. 10 seed Cinnaminson, 2-1, in Friday's Central Jersey Group 2 quarterfinal.
Ranked No. 5 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, Delran (15-2-1) will host Tuesday's 2 p.m. sectional semifinal.
Cinnaminson, which beat and tied Delran in two regular season meetings, finished 9-6-3.
"When we play Cinnaminson it is like a state championship," Ruff said.
It sure looked that way.
The Pirates appeared in control when Max DiLeo, who gave Delran's defense fits all day, headed in a bouncing header with 18 minutes, 51 seconds left in regulation.
With the way Cinnaminson was playing defense, it looked like it could hold. Delran, however got back in the game 27 seconds later when the Bears were awarded a penalty kick after Cinnaminson was called for a hand ball inside the 18.
Dominic Nocito drilled the penalty kick, and the Bears had new life.
"Maybe getting down a goal was the spark this team needed," said Delran coach Mike Otto, whose team is the defending state Group 2 cochampion.
All game long, the Bears had difficultly dealing with DiLeo, whose quickness and ability to work in tight quarters made it a long day for any opposing defender.
With a little more than 11 minutes left in regulation, DiLeo hit the post on a shot from an extreme angle on the left side.
Both teams are rivals in the Burlington County League Liberty Division, and the intensity multiplied because it's the postseason.
"For us, playing Delran is the biggest game of the year," DiLeo said. "This was a tough one to take."
In the sudden death overtime, Delran won on what could be called a double-header. Joe Hackimer, another player who was all over the field, headed a ball to Ruff, who then finished matters with his own header.
"I was wide open, and I wanted to get it on goal," Ruff said.
Mission accomplished.
So Delran will continue its quest to defend its share of the Group 2 state champion. There are still many challenges ahead. It will be difficult to face a greater one than the one Cinnaminson provided Friday.
Cinnaminson 0 1 0 - 1
Delran 0 1 1 - 2
Goals: C-Max DiLeo. D-Dominic Nocito (PK), R.J. Ruff. Saves: C-Kevin Lynch 7. D-Brad Schmidt 5.
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci
at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.
