The rival Wallington and Hasbrouck Heights boys soccer teams were targeting another game this season between each other.
The Panthers (19-3) and the Aviators (17-4) were the top and second seeds, respectively, in the North 1, Group 1 state section.
But unfortunately for the squads, they were taken down by a couple of teams that have gotten the best of them the last few years.
Wallington lost, 1-0, to fifth-seeded Waldwick at home in the semifinal Nov. 5 and Heights dropped a 2-1 verdict to seventh-seeded Boonton in the quarterfinals Nov. 1.
Waldwick has had Wallington's number, including when the latter lost to the Warriors in a shootout last year in the semifinals at Waldwick.
Wallington was playing without one of its top players, Damian Zurawski, who was out with an illness, but coach Allesandro Barchi did not use it for an excuse.
"I still believe we had enough to win," said Barchi. "The bounces definitely did not go our way, which I feel they haven't for us the last few years. Waldwick is an extremely strong team with exceptional strong team with exceptional coaching, and it shows with their continued success."
Boonton also ousted the Aviators in 2018 at Heights in a shootout in the first round.
Like Wallington, the ball did not bounce the Aviators' way - despite them controlling the pace of play.
"The loss to Boonton was disappointing," said Heights coach William Thorne. "We had a large portion of the possession and outplayed them; we just lacked the ability to finish. Boonton capitalized on their few changes on goal and put their shots away, something that we didn't do."
Wood-Ridge (15-7) made it to the second round for the second year in a row as a young program. The eighth-seeded Blue Devils lost to rival Wallington, 5-0, on the road Nov. 1 in the second round. Wood-Ridge defeated ninth-seeded Park Ridge, 2-1, on Oct. 29 in the first round.
"Unfortunately, it did not go our way but now it's time to keep building and keep elevating our standards," said Wood-Ridge coach Alberico DePierro, whose team won back-to-back state tournament games in the last two years for a program that is only six years old.
Garfield (14-4-1) was the other area team to advance to the second round. The fifth-seeded Boilermakers dropped a 3-0 verdict at fourth-seeded Paramus on Nov. 1 in North 1, Group 3. Garfield defeated 12th-seeded Morris Hills, 3-0, on Oct. 29 in the first round.
Elmwood Park (6-11-1) returned to the state tournament this season, but the 10th-seeded Crusaders dropped a 3-0 verdict at seventh-seeded Newton in the first round of North 1, Group 2.
And 13th-seeded Lodi's (5-10-1) comeback in the first round of North 2, Group 2 at fourth-seeded Lyndhurst fell short in the 2-1 defeat Oct. 29.
Wallington
For Wallington it was only a header from Waldwick senior Brandon Barga just before the end of the first half that did in the Panthers in their loss to the Warriors in the state semifinal. Waldwick went on to win the North 1, Group 1 title.
"Ultimately winning in soccer comes down to scoring, and they did and we couldn't on that day," said Barchi. "We have to be better going forward, and our coaching staff and I will get back to work to continue to improve our program."
In the win over Wood-Ridge in the quarterfinals, senior Nicholas Zielonka registered a hat trick for the Panthers and junior Matt Tecza added two goals.
Despite the defeat, Wallington returned the NJIC Meadowlands Division title back to the Panthers.
"We were able to take back the league title after holding it for the previous nine years before that," said Barchi. "We have now been league champions 12 times in our short 21-year existence as a program."
The Panthers' lso made it to the Bergen County tournament quarterfinals before losing to Don Bosco.
A couple of Wallington players set career marks. Zielonka set the school record for goals in a career with 116 and Zurawski broke the century mark in goals with 103 in his career. Barchi surpassed 100 career wins and had with 102 at the end of the season.
Hasbrouck Heights
Hasbrouck Heights just could not put away its chances against Boonton and its season ended against the same team on their same field as in 2018.
"I'm so proud of the way the boys battled, it was an 80-minute effort and they put in a full shift," said Thorne. "I can't fault their drive, intensity or passion in that game; it showed a lot about the type of young men that they are."
In the first round of the tournament, Heights was finishing off its chances with a 5-0 victory over Midland Park on Oct. 29.
Four Aviators scored goals, led by senior Victor Barris with two. Seniors Mario Gomez, Michael Gerges and junior Rafael Mendoza notched a goal each. "I'm very happy with the team this year but of course, disappointed in the way the season ended," said Thorne.
Wood-Ridge
Wood-Ridge was shut out by Wallington in the state tournament, but it was where it wanted to be - crucial games.
"We needed to make sure that playoff wins begin to be a staple of the program as we grow year after year," said DePierro. "These are the games we want to be playing in year after year."
The victory over Park Ridge in the first round was extra special as Wood-Ridge avenged the state tournament loss in 2018 to the Owls.
The Blue Devils got a goal each in each half, one each from the brother duo of senior Boubou and sophomore Seydou Camara to lead Wood-Ridge over Park Ridge.
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Though Wood-Ridge's state drive ended the Blue Devils won the program's first title, taking the NJIC Tournament championship over Ridgefield.
"This title is important to the program on several levels as it is a major building block for our future and in our ability to keep players in district, it is a reward for the ground work that was laid in these first six years of existence, and it brings a sense of pride and success through a memory that will last a lifetime," said DePierro. "This is a program defining moment and an achievement to now replicate as often as possible."