Delbarton Surges Past Bergen Catholic in NJNPA Semifinals

URGENT UPDATE: No. 9 Delbarton delivered a thrilling performance, defeating second-seeded Bergen Catholic 2-1 in the semifinals of the North Jersey, Non-Public A Tournament, held in Oradell earlier today. This victory propels Delbarton into the finals against top-seeded St. Benedict’s on Thursday.

The match began with a surge from Delbarton, as Liam Murphy scored just six minutes into the first half, capitalizing on a precise assist from Owen Miller. Delbarton led 1-0 heading into halftime, showcasing their strong offensive strategy.

As the game progressed, tension mounted before Peter Wynne found the back of the net in the 74th minute, assisted by Dylan Mazzarella. This decisive goal not only marked Wynne’s impact on the game but also solidified Delbarton’s lead at 2-1 after Bergen Catholic had equalized earlier in the second half.

Defensively, Delbarton was bolstered by the performance of goalkeeper Vain Swamy, who made a critical pair of saves, while Bergen Catholic’s John Coleman managed three saves but ultimately could not stop the Delbarton offense.

Delbarton now faces a formidable challenge in the final against St. Benedict’s, who triumphed over fourth-seeded Seton Hall Prep with an impressive 5-1 victory in their semifinal match. The upcoming final is particularly significant as Delbarton seeks redemption after being defeated 4-0 by St. Benedict’s in last season’s tournament.

Delbarton last claimed the Non-Public A section title in 2018 during a dramatic shootout against Seton Hall Prep. Since then, they have reached the finals three times, making this upcoming match crucial for their championship aspirations.

As the excitement builds for Thursday’s final, fans and players alike are eager to see if Delbarton can reclaim the title and break their recent finals drought. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.