Cedar Grove Wizards Win Tourney, Brave Icy Rain

CEDAR GROVE, NJ — The following article was written by Christine Coppa. Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Wizards Sports Club's U12 Barca [Barcelona] Boys returned home to Cedar Grove from Southampton, PA as victors after two fierce games on Saturday, November 18. The team was scheduled to play another two games on Sunday in the 5th Annual Crusa/FC Bucks Adidas Classic, but the tournament was cut short due to freezing rain and strong winds.

On Saturday the Wizards faced off against Southampton Force (PAE). "The boys started very strong," Head Coach, Tamas Kovacs said. "They really pressured the opponent in the opening 20 minutes. We were up 2 goals. It was fantastic." Kovacs played professional soccer for Nagykanizsa Football Club, in Hungary from 1993 to 1999.

Dominic Valenzuela #2 and Player #15 both scored. Wizards Defense was like a wall early-on. But as the first-half was coming to a close, Southampton Force amped up their game, earning a goal. The Wizards gave up their 2-0 lead - and the half closed at 2-1.

"We were dominating the field, but the boys got very cocky too soon and thought the game was over after 2 goals and 20 minutes," said Kovacs, who founded Wizards Sports Club in 2016. "I yelled at them to get back to work! We came here to win not play games."

U12 Barca in their neon yellow Nike uniforms returned to the grass field at Council Rock High School South on a mission: win.

Valenzuela #2 powered through all the Southampton defenders and was one-on-one with the Goalie in a sensational breakaway play. He scored. Wizards were now up 3-1. Spirits were high for the Cedar Grove team.

But the game was not over for Southampton, who went on to score two more goals. When the whistle sounded it was a tie score: 3-3.

The tie game did not shut Cedar Grove's U12 Barca Wizards down. It woke them up. "Boys, you get on them, tough," Kovacs told his team. "High pressure! Bring your A game now."

The band of brothers came back to the field for game 2, determined to make Kovacs and Assistant Coach Christian Acosta, 26 proud.

"Wizards Sports Club is a family to me, the players, parents and my fellow coaches," Acosta who was born in Argentina said. The young coach played Division 3 soccer for Rutgers University where he double majored in Journalism and Spanish.

He earned his Masters in Education at Montclair State University and teaches Spanish at Mahwah High School.

"Coaching soccer has taught me skills that I apply in the classroom," Acosta said. "From getting the kids attention, modeling activities, planning and training for games. The soccer field is also my classroom."

Five minutes into the game Council Rock FC Bucks Union scored against the Wizards.

"High pressure, Acosta yelled."

"Make a move," Kovacs echoed. “Come on!"

Valenzuela #2 was the first player to put the ball in the goal for the Wizards. The young powerhouse, 11-years-old competed on Team USA in 2016 (Portugal), 2017 (Spain) and will once again compete overseas in Spain this March.

As his coaches and teammates call him, "Dom" would go on to score 4 more goals on that slip-and-slide field. He scored 7 goals for the Wizards between games one and two.

"Dominic has a natural talent for soccer," his mom Deanna Valenzuela says. She credits her son's impeccable skills to Kovacs, Coach Federico Lucas (who played soccer for Monmouth University) and the entire coaching staff. "They have challenged and fined-tuned Dom through their disciplined work ethic and developmental training."

It's that training that guided the boys in the inclement weather on Saturday.

"It was very tough," says Michael Ruggiano #9, of game 2. "My hands were frozen and running in the muddy grass felt like running in the sand."

But, that didn't stop him from scoring a goal. "There was no time to think of the cold and rain. We were there to win."

"It was frigid and raw," said Rania Bajati. Her son Zane #10 powered through, adding another goal to the Wizards score. "There's a strong bond between the players and that's so important," the proud mom adds.

Jackie Palmieri's son, Michael wears the #3 Jersey on the field and in the Goal. "The boys have not only gelled as a team, they've become great friends, too."

Wizards U12 Barca did not allow Council Rock FC Bucks Union to score again. Michael Ruggiano #9 shut out the game with the final and eighth goal.

"Everyone played amazing, but in game 2, when Dominic scored that goal from 25 yards out, that was the best moment for me," said Acosta.

"My boys worked together," said Kovacs. "They executed and achieved seven passes and slammed ball after ball into the goal. Logan Bratchenko #21 made several assists and chased our opponent down the field preventing him from scoring. What a day!”

Wizards Sports Club begins indoor training and playing games in January.

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Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photos: Christine Coppa