VIDEO, PHOTOS: Kiker’s hat trick carries Crusaders into semifinal round

Posted: November 9th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

A good start and a strong finish propelled the Wildwood Catholic Academy boys soccer team to a state playoff victory Friday afternoon.

The Crusaders, seeded second in the South Jersey Non-Public B Tournament, advanced to the semifinal round behind a 5-2 win over Calvary Christian at a windy 80th Street Field in Stone Harbor.

Wildwood Catholic will host No. 6 Princeton Day on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Princeton Day was a 1-0 upset winner over No. 3 Doane Academy on Friday.

Against Calvary Christian, Wildwood Catholic jumped to a lead of 2-0 and held a 3-1 advantage at the half before Calvary Christian scored early in the second half to pull within a goal. But Calvin Kiker scored twice to finish off a hat trick to allow the Crusaders (15-4-1) to pull away.

Teddy Woolery and Gonzalo Gonzalez each added goals for Wildwood Catholic. Evan Papageorgiou was credited with two assists and Gonzalez and Nick Catanoso each added one.

Keynan Alston made four saves in goal for the Crusaders.

Tuesday will represent Wildwood Catholic’s first appearance in the sectional semifinal round since 2016.

(Video clips and photos by Dina Moustafa.)