Wayne Valley makes another underdog run by Sean Farrell of The Record
CLIFTON – Tommy Pellegrino lives for this time of year.
The rankings and records don’t seem to matter to Wayne Valley around now.
The Indians are at their best in May.
“It’s our favorite time of the year,” Pellegino said.
Wayne Valley is hoping to replicate what happened a year ago. Win the Passaic County tournament and win as an underdog.
The fifth-seeded Indians took a step toward that goal on Monday. They earned a hard-fought 9-8 win over fourth-seeded Clifton in the quarterfinals.
After starting the year 4-8, Wayne Valley is now on a two-game win streak.
“Things were looking pretty doom and gloom,” first-year coach Joe Della Fera said. “But I got to give it to these guys – my coaching staff and the players on this team. They kept their heads up. They put their nose to the grind. They put in the work that was needed to get through the rough patch. Now we’re rolling. Now these guys are on top of the world.”
Little separated Wayne Valley and Clifton throughout the afternoon.
Pellegrino scored twice to open the game, but the lead didn’t last long.
The Mustangs responded by putting in the next three goals. A late turnover allowed them to have a pair of chances to get the equalizer on the final possession.
But the Indians’ defense made one last stand to survive, in a scene reminiscent of last year’s tournament final. Junior goalie Nick Beninati made 14 saves in the win.
“We just wanted it more,” Pellegrino said.
“It’s just about giving 100 percent effort on every play,” junior captain Chandler O’Rourke said. “After the game, you can look back and say there’s no play out there where I didn’t try on, where I didn’t give 100 percent and regret.”
Three of the last five Passaic County titles have gone to Wayne Valley.
But it took a little while for the team to adjust to a new coaching staff and a new philosophy this spring.
The Indians struggled at times to fill the holes on defense and generate enough shots on offense.
Scoring surges from O’Rourke and Pellegrino have led them out of that slump.
They produced seven of Wayne Valley’s nine goals against Clifton, including the game-winner from O’Rourke with 2:50 left.
“They’re just extreme competitors,” Della Fera said. “With Tommy and Chandler, whenever the team needs to be picked up or needs a rah-rah, those are the guys to do it. Most of the team, even on the defensive side of the field, they follow their suit.”
The win sets up a semifinal matchup with top-seeded Wayne Hills on Wednesday.
“This is our time to show everybody what we have,” O’Rourke said. “It’s what we look forward to all year.”
The Indians know they can beat their crosstown rivals, since they did just that on Saturday.
The underdogs are ready for more May magic.
“I’ve been preaching all year that they could have whatever they want if they put in the work for it,” said Della Fera, a former Indians lacrosse player. “Beating Wayne Hills the other night and knocking off that one seed definitely [shows that]. I’m not lying. I’m not just saying that because I’m their coach and I have to say it.
He added, “I really believe in this team.”