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After 80 minutes of scoreless soccer, Wayne Valley didn't wait long to end the suspense in its Passaic County boys' soccer final against rival Passaic Valley. The game winning goal came less than two minutes into the first overtime session. The dramatic sports win gives the Indians their third county soccer title in the last four years.
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Wayne Valley dominated the 1st half and had the most chances to get on the board. Their play in the middle of the soccer field was solid which led to some clear opportunities. The Indians came close but were never able to poke one in, with Hornets' goalie Mike Libucha denying John Kelly on a half-volley.
Passaic Valley showed some good ball movement in the first half in spurts. The Hornets had a nice end to the half as their play went up a notch, creating a couple of decent chances.
The Indians took control of the soccer game right away with a close call to start the second half. Kelly chipped a cross over the cross bar, and Jason Rosenberg also had two quality chances that came up empty as well. In similar fashion to the first half, the Hornets did start to play better later in the half. Dominick Capone and Ryan Dunphy each had shots that missed the net by a narrow margin.
With just over 90 seconds gone in the first golden-goal overtime, Rosenberg received a through ball and poked it away from the goalkeeper. With no angle to shoot, he dished off to Dan Bellet whose cross found Rob Palmarozza’s head for the game-winner. Palmarozza, a defender, took a bit of a gamble to come forward on the play.
Wayne Valley is a deserving winner of the 2009 Passaic County Boys Soccer Title. But the Indians know they could face the Hornets again in the upcoming New Jersey high school state tournament. -- Emir Liguori for Jersey Sports Now
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