“Hats off to West Orange because they are a very good team,” said St. Benedict’s coach Jim Wandling. “Their boys are a committed group, they are relentless workers and are very well coached.”

The Mountaineers have simply continued to produce banner seasons ever since the 52-year-old Nevins took over the reins of the program in 2000 following a fine scholastic career at nearby Seton Hall Prep and college playing career at Villanova.

Now, the current Mountaineers can cement their own place in school history while solidifying the fact that they are the defensive juggernauts of all-time in the program’s rich annals of soccer success.

Glen Ridge Advances To Group 1 State Final

Also on Sunday at Franklin, Essex County’s other state finalist Glen Ridge (19-4) will face Delaware Valley in the Group 1 state final in a scheduled 5:30 p.m. start.

Coach Brian Ianni’s Ridgers, who last won an overall Group 1 championship in 2019, avenged state semifinal losses to Waldwick in both 2022 and 2024 by exploding past the Bergen County school, 5-0, in this past Tuesdays Group 1 semis.

Leading scorer Max Fleisher scored his 27th and 28th goals of the season in the first half as Glen Ridge took control of the match early on and roared past Waldwick (14-9-1) to the semifinal victory.

Delaware Valley also rolled to victory in its semifinal triumph, 4-1, over Haddonfield.