WEST CALDWELL- Caldwell had a narrow 20-18 lead through the first eight matches against perennial power Seton Hall Prep and needed a strong burst to create breathing room with full intent on posting a significant victory vs. the Super Essex Conference standard bearer.
A strong finish included five straight victories from 144 to 175 pounds and taking five of the final six bouts beginning with Rocco Conforti’s big comeback and eventual pin of Lucas Campos in 3:32 igniting the Chiefs to a commanding 43-24 team triumph on Friday evening marking their first dual victory over SHP since 2016.
Caldwell (7-0, 2-0), which is ranked 16th in the state according to nj.com, is currently deadlocked with archrival West Essex (4-3, 2-0) atop the SEC-American Division standings with a big upcoming match approaching between the two neighboring mat powers, 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, in West Caldwell.
The Knights handled Nutley, 48-20, in their SEC dual match action also on Friday night.
For a brief time, at least until getting back to action in another big match at Old Bridge 6 p.m., Monday night, the Chiefs can take time to enjoy the afterglow of knocking off a perennial rival in SHP (3-5, 1-1) before an enthusiastic home crowd.
“It has definitely been a long time coming,” said Caldwell coach Sean Romano. “We really wanted this one!
“Our kids were dialed in and each and every one of them executed. Thats a really good team over there, and they are really well coached, so we knew going in we had to wrestle our very best match and credit to our kids, they did!”
SHP, which like Caldwell faces an arduous schedule, boasts one of the top lower weight wrestlers in the area in Anthony Pellegrino (120), who earned a 14-1 major decision vs. the Chiefs Yankee Mabee, along with another outstanding veteran grappler in Andre Moreno (126), who registered a technical fall (21-6) vs. KJ Lissenden as the Pirates were hanging right there with the home team, trailing just 16-15 in a match that began at 215 with another SHP standout Rocco Salerno’s forfeit win at 215.
A huge early victory for Caldwell came at 106 where Matthew Ruane battled his way vs. a very worthy opponent in the Pirates’ Preston Nitche before registering a fall in 3:23 as the Chiefs took their first lead, 12-6.
“Matt Ruane’s pin was one of the biggest bouts of the night,” said Romano. “In a swing bout, to come out and get the fall was huge!”
Then, following Caldwell’s Anthony Barrett posting a 14-2 major decision over Michael Pocious at 132 and the Pirates’ Tyler Yildiz edging the Chiefs’ Solomon Soriente, 8-6, at 138, it was time for Romano’s strong matmen to begin a real surge, starting with Conforti who battled back from a tough, early stretch to pin the Pirates’ Lucas Campos in 3:32 at 144 as Caldwell assumed a 26-18 lead and was on its way.
