Sports

Sports & Recreation

North Arlington girls beat Lyndhurst, 1-0, at Red Bull Arena; both advance to county tournament

TOP: North Arlington Vikings, BOTTOM: Lyndhurst Golden Bears

By Jason Bernstein

jason@theobserver.com

Daliana Rojas and her North Arlington teammates have been thinking about the chance to play at Red Bull Arena for months, and in some cases, fulfilling a lifelong dream. But within this once in a lifetime opportunity came the realization that to make the most of it, they had to defeat one of its biggest rivals in Lyndhurst.

Rojas’ play in net and a second half goal by Lia Cruz ensured that the Vikings fully maximized this incredible experience as they defeated Lyndhurst, 1-0, at Red Bull Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 20.

“This was a really important game to us,” said Rojas, a junior. “We got lucky to have this opportunity, it was amazing to play here. Since we were little we were dreaming to play here and we won!

“We had this one opportunity and we made it great.”

Rojas admitted there were some nerves, especially early on, due to the experience of playing in the state’s biggest soccer venue. But as the game progressed, both teams felt more comfortable on the large field.

“There was definitely excitement, it was getting over the initial moment of it (that was important),” North Arlington head coach Mike Vivino said, noting that he could sense his team settling in midway through the first half. “I said to them that we have to strip it down to what it was, which was a conference game between two very good teams. At the end of the day, are we going to be undefeated in the conference or are we going to have one loss? That was kind of our approach right from the start when we knew we were going to play this game.”

Cruz ensured the Vikings would leave Harrison with more than just a fun experience when she struck a right-footed shot from just inside the 18 that skied over the keeper’s head and went just inside the far-left post in the 50th minute for what proved to be the only goal of the night.

Cruz never actually saw the shot go in since she was knocked down when she completed the shot, but knew it had a good chance of going in.

See SOCCER, Page 10

IWF event will at NAHS will benefit the Michael Robert Cammett Jr. Memorial Foundation

By Jason Bernstein

jason@theobserver.com

As the founder of the Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF), Nutley native Kevin Knight has taken pride in the dozens of wrestling events the IWF has done in the area to support local charities and causes over the past 25 years. But for Knight, the IWF’s next event might be the most important one they do.

On Saturday, Oct. 8, the IWF comes to North Arlington High School to honor the memory of beloved former IWF star and North Arlington graduate Michael Cammett, who died in an innertube rafting accident in 2021.

Proceeds from the event, which begins at 7 p.m., go to the Michael Robert Cammett Jr. Memorial Foundation.

“This is the most important event we do each year where all the net proceeds from the event benefit Michael’s memorial foundation,” Knight said. “It’s very special for us to go to his high school, but it’s bitter-sweet that the event we’re doing benefits his memorial fund because obviously, we wish he was still with us.”

Cammett, who played football and ran track and field at North Arlington High School, dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler and started taking classes at Knight’s wrestling school in 2014 aged 17.

Nicknamed “Golden Boy” after his shoulderlength blonde hair, Cammett became one of the IWF’s top stars, being selected as the IWF Wrestler of the Year three years in a row and winning multiple titles.

Cammett had left the world of professional wrestling to focus earning a doctorate in physical therapy at RutgersNewark before his death aged 24.

Last November, the IWF hosted its inaugural event at North Arlington HS, raising $4,000 for the foundation despite crowds being limited to 25% capacity due to previous COVID-19related restrictions.

“This year, we will be at full capacity and hopefully we’ll be able to raise a lot more this year,” said Knight. “The family uses the funds in his foundation to donate to other charitable causes and they also sponsor scholarships for graduating North Arlington students.”

WWE Hall of Famer Tony “Mr. USA” Atlas and former WWE Lightheavyweight Champion Gillberg are the legendary guests for Oct. 8, with each participating in the sevenmatch card.

Knight, perhaps better known by his in-ring nickname “Master of Chaos,” will partner with Atlas in the IWF Tag Team Championship match against Benjamin T. Asher and Jason “The Horizon” Hendrix. Gillberg will accompany IWF Heavyweight