High School Soccer:
Delsea Ends Haddonfield's Unbeaten Streak

Saturday, October 31, 1998

By Forrest Robleto
SJSports Staff Writer

The Group 3 top-seeded Delsea Crusaders proved too much for the Group 1 top-seeded Haddonfield Bulldogs. This boys soccer match saw the Crusaders beat their opponent by a score of three to one in the South Jersey Coaches Tournament. The game, which generally favored Delsea, was close (2-1) down to the last few minutes when keeper Dean Minton was apparently hurt in play immediately in front of the Delsea goal. The fans immediately behind the Delsea goal began taunting the injured player mercilessly. Far from shaking the keeper's confidence, the taunting instead fired up the rest of the Delsea team. They proceeded directly down the field and scored, making it 3-1 and putting the game essentially out of reach.

Delsea, who had territorial advantage throughout the first half, got the ball in close halfway into the first half where John Epley put it home to give Delsea a one to nothing lead. The first half ended one to nothing, with the shots six to one in favor of the Crusaders.

The second half was played far more evenly with the shots actually favoring Haddonfield 8-5. The play in the second half started out much like the first with the advantage to Delsea. But despite that advantage, the lead remained at 1-0 until, with 11:50 left, Ken Muits assisted by Steve Yurchak made it 2-0. Delsea visibly relaxed after the second goal and Haddonfield picked up the pace. For the next four minutes, the Bulldogs pressed until the 6:50 mark when John Heacock finally put Haddonfield on the board. Tim Rogers assisted on the goal. Back to a one goal lead, the game was played very even till a shot for Haddonfield near the two minute mark left the Delsea keeper holding his arm. The taunting of the fans pumped up the Crusaders who put the game away with 1:44 left in the half. John Epley scored his second goal of the day with help from Doug Scott. The game ended with the score 3-1 for Delsea.

The shots in the second period were 5 for Delsea and 8 for Haddonfield. Totals for the game were 11 for Delsea to 9 for Haddonfield. The win brings Delsea to 14-3-2, who will play Lenape in the next round of the Tournament. The loss for Haddonfield ended an unbeaten streak going back to last year, giving them a record of 16-1-2.

Photos by Forrest Robleto