Sports
Quakers Defeat Rancocas Valley to Capture Liberty Division Crown
The 3-1 win was the 11th of the season for the Quakers, who finished last year with five victories.
Rancocas Valley (6-9-2) was looking to upset the Quakers on Tuesday night, especially since the two teams play each other twice per season as division rivals, and the Red Devils got off to the start they needed by scoring first.
Despite scoring the game’s first goal however, the Red Devils could not complete the effort as Moorestown (11-3-2) scored three goals, two in the second half, in a dominating 3-1 win that clinched the program’s 13th Liberty Division title in 14 years. The only year without the division crown was 2010, when Cinnaminson captured the league crown.
“Everyone counted us out. No one expected us to get back here," said head coach Bill Mulvihill. "These girls, after what they went through last year, they came back this year with a vengeance, and we just took it one game at a time. To get the league title back, it’s an accomplishment they should be proud of."
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Gina Triocci got the Red Devils on the board roughly nine minutes into the game before Moorestown tied and took over all aspects in the second half. Jenna McAvoy tied the game at one before halftime for the Quakers.
“Everyone was kind of doubtful of us this year, but we knew from the beginning we could win the league if we put our heart into it,” Nicole Varela said. “I think that we are definitely a threat to the league and hopefully we win the state championship, because we definitely have the hard work and the heart out here to win.”
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Varela took a shot, a free kick, with 14 minutes left in the second half from right around midfield that found the back of the net to give the Quakers a 2-1 lead and the eventual game-winning score. Megan Kelly added the Quakers’ third goal of the night en route to the victory.
“These girls, they never ever have not worked for us. That’s a credit to those girls and the heart they have when they step onto the field,” Mulvihill said. “We’re not going to be the greatest soccer players out there, but no one is going to outwork us.”
First round of the NJSIAA playoff tournament begins Monday, in what should be a home game for the Quakers.
Player Statistics
Moorestown
Megan Kelly: 1 goal
Jenna McAvoy: 1 goal
Nicole Varela: 1 goal
Rancocas Valley
Gina Triocci: 1 goal
