No one in South Jersey expected the Moorestown girls’ soccer team (14-3-2) to make a run deep into the playoffs when the regular season began this year after the team’s disappointing 2010 season, finishing with a 5-8-1 record and seven 1-0 losses.
Head coach Bill Mulvihill didn't mind that his team would be flying under the radar in 2011. He would rather have it that way. Fast-forward to November and the Quakers are now playing for the South, Group 3 Championship after defeating Central Regional (13-4) 1-0 in the semifinals Monday.
“The desire and the hard work ethic is still there, but this team is a little more tightly knit. They all get along and that’s big,” Mulvihill said. “This team, compared to last year’s team, they are a little tighter and they dig down deeper for each other this year.”
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The Quakers have enjoyed playing all three of their playoff games at home, and with Lower Cape May’s upset win over number one seed Timber Creek, the Quakers will host the Group 3 Finals on Thursday.
Freshman Melanie Becker scored the lone goal for the Quakers against Central Regional on an assist from Megan Kelly. Goalkeeper Rebecca Schultz pulled down six saves. The two teams played a scoreless first half after both sides had chances to score.
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“The entire team played amazing the whole game. This team is amazing. I am just so happy to do anything to help this team win,” Becker said.
After Becker gave Moorestown a 1-0 lead in the second half, momentum shifted to Central Regional, as the Eagles put constant pressure on Schultz and the Moorestown defense. The Quakers were able to turn away shot after shot while killing the second half clock.
“She (Becker) comes in off the bench, gives us a spark," Mulvihill said. "She’s very fast, very aggressive for a freshman, plays beyond her years, and the goal she finished was beautiful."
As the Quakers celebrated their 1-0 win over the Eagles, they had no idea number one seed Timber Creek had fallen to Lower Cape May. As Mulvihill spoke to his team, preparing them for both opponents, athletic director Neil Rosa gave the squad the news they would be hosting the Group 3 Final on Thursday at 1 p.m.
“Unbelievable. I just started talking to the girls, ‘If it’s Timber Creek, they would be identical to what we just played.' Then he (Rosa) comes in and tells us it’s Lower Cape May,” Mulvihill said. “Just like I told the team, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing, you still have to play the game. We have to prepare for Lower Cape May just like we would prepare for any other team.”
