VIDEO: Warriors and Crusaders play to entertaining draw in terrific display of soccer

Posted: October 12th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

STONE HARBOR – Two small-school boys soccer programs each in the midst of terrific seasons came together for a tremendous game Friday afternoon.

In the end, 100 minutes of soccer couldn’t separate the sides as rivals Wildwood and Wildwood Catholic played to a 1-1 draw in front of a large crowd at the Stone Harbor Recreation Complex.

The contest was played in front of a crowd of more than 250 fans. It was also streamed online by CapeAtlanticLive.com.

“I was proud of my alma mater on the other side and I was proud of my boys for how they stepped up,” said Wildwood coach Sal Zampirri, a graduate of and former standout player at Wildwood Catholic. “It was just a phenomenal game to watch, a great game to watch. I love seeing both our teams succeed this season.”

After a scoreless first half that didn’t feature many true chances, Wildwood Catholic’s Calvin Kiker opened the scoring by tapping in a cross from Teddy Woolery midway through the second half after Woolery’s relentlessness kept the play alive down the left flank. It was a just reward for Kiker, whose work rate was unmatched throughout the contest as a lone striker.

Wildwood Catholic (12-1-1) appeared poised to lock down the game from there. The Crusaders consistently won 50-50 balls in the middle of the field while Wildwood (8-3-1) had trouble stringing passes together and getting numbers forward.

But just when it appeared there may not be a path for Wildwood to find offense, that’s when Noureddine “Nunu” Bedderi exhibited his vast talent.

Bedderi, a senior transfer from Algeria who entered the game with a Cape May County-best 22 goals, had been rendered mostly ineffective for much of the game by a disciplined Wildwood Catholic defense. But with less than 10 minutes to go until full time, Bedderi gained possession in the midfield, sprung himself down the left flank, worked past two Crusader defenders near the byline and dragged the ball into the path of freshman Angel DeJesus, who didn’t miss from the goal’s doorstep.

“Nunu never shuts off,” Zampirri said. “He always works hard. He always gives 110 percent and you can never take that away from him. On that goal, he worked a little bit of his solo magic to create that and it was great to see Angel get on the end of it. I was very happy to see Angel as a freshman tuck that one home in such a big spot.”

Wildwood Catholic was obviously disappointed to give up an equalizer at that stage of the game.

“They had some opportunities, but to be up late and give one up, it is what it is, but obviously we’re not happy about it,” Wildwood Catholic coach Tommy Bolle said. “But Wildwood is a really good team and you know they’re not going to give up.” 

From there, Wildwood controlled most of the remainder of the contest as Warrior midfielders Kelan Miller and Gavin Burns emerged as the most influential players on the field, winning numerous balls in the middle of the park and effectively distributing to teammates.

Wildwood thought it might have earned a golden opportunity in the dying embers of regular time when Alex Osario was dumped to the turf after a late challenge by Wildwood Catholic goalkeeper Keynan Alston but the Warriors’ appeals for a penalty kick were waved off by the officials.

Wildwood enjoyed more of the possession and chances in the two periods of extra time, although Wildwood Catholic did get one good opportunity after a foul was called on the Warriors just outside the penalty area after Catholic’s Nick Catanoso briefly got behind the defense. But the ensuing free kick by Gonzalo Gonzales grazed the shoulder of a player in the Warrior wall and sailed over the crossbar by a mere yard. Wildwood Catholic argued that the foul was committed by the last defender and resulted in the denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity, which, if the officials interpreted the play in the same manner, would have led to the Wildwood offender being sent off with a red card. The officials decided against that ruling, however. 

Both defenses – Wildwood Catholic’s led by Chris Papageorgiou, Chase Adams, Chase Critchfield and Christian Sorensen and Wildwood’s anchored by Ahmed Djellal, Burke Fitzsimons and Tyler Brown – were steady and composed throughout. Alston, a relatively inexperienced goalkeeper pressed into service by injury to its starter, was stellar for Wildwood Catholic. He continually nullified Wildwood threats by coming off his line to play the ball when the Warriors attempted to play direct through the middle of the field. Alston made 12 saves in the game. Wildwood goalkeeper Broc Denke was also solid, making five saves to go along with a few decisive charges off his line to make plays on the ball as well.

Officially, no winner was declared. Unofficially, everyone who played, coached and watched on a beautiful fall day was a winner as they were treated to a sensational contest between teams whose players are mostly close friends.

“I’m happy for our boys to put up a good game against a team like Wildwood because they’re a very well coached program,” Bolle said. “Their guys always play hard and they’re a battle-tested team. Even though it’s a tie, I’m happy with how we played against them.”

Said Zampirri: “I’m super proud of both teams and I’m very happy with the effort and the work of our boys, even though we didn’t get the result we wanted.”

CORNER KICKS: Wildwood Catholic leads the all-time series between the schools, 27-3-3. Wildwood won last year’s game, 7-2, in the first game between the two teams since 2014. … One day earlier, Wildwood Catholic clinched the Cape-Atlantic United Conference title with a 2-0 win over Buena. It is the Crusaders’ first conference title since 2019. … Wildwood needs just a draw or a victory in one of its three remaining games to clinch the Tri-County Conference Classic Division title. Wildwood has never previously won any kind of championship in its program’s history.