Boys Standouts in South Jersey Coaches Cup Semifinals

<figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/10/6N4A9743-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61810" width="411" height="274"/><figcaption>Sean McFadden</figcaption></figure>   The South Jersey Coaches Cup is down to its final two. Shawnee and Haddon Township will square off in Cherry Hill on Saturday night. Both semifinal winners had to put up quite a fight to get there. Shawnee overcame a comeback from Rancocas Valley to win 4-3 in a semi on Wednesday night in Cherry Hill and Haddon Township twice fought back from blown one-goal leads to top West Deptford 3-2 at home on Thursday afternoon. It sets up an intriguing match-up between two teams that are good in transition, have size and strength in the middle and can capitalize on an opponent's mistakes.   Below are some players that stood out to me during the two semifinal matches.   Sean McFadden, Sophomore, Midfielder, Shawnee McFadden scored Shawnee's second goal in the first half and took the shot that led to the game-winner right after Rancocas Valley had tied the game up at 3-3. He also played a little center back on the night when the Renegades were trying to see the game out. McFadden is deadly on counter attacks and creates a lot of chances for himself and his teammates off his pressing.   Matt Conger, Senior, Forward, Shawnee Conger was the hero with the big game-winner that salvaged a 4-3 win and slammed the door on Rancocas Valley's spirited comeback. The goal was a put-back on a rebound from McFadden's initial shot and demonstrated Conger's ability to hit a ball. He didn't try to blast it past the keeper and instead calmly hit it where it needed to go. He also flashed his skill on his recycled cross that set up the first goal and with a line-breaking pass to set up McFadden on the second goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/10/lukechatten-1024x659.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61803" width="409" height="263"/><figcaption>Luke Chatten</figcaption></figure>   Cole Johnson, Senior, Goalkeeper, Haddon Township Johnson came up with a huge stop to deny West Deptford the lead minutes before they scored the game-winning goal down at the other end of the field. He made six stops on the day but did well to command his line and start counter attacks the other way with his distribution.   Mason Quinton, Junior, Midfielder, West Deptford Quinton scored a late equalizer and nearly found a winner that was touched out for a corner by the Haddon Township keeper. His speed and shiftiness on the outside was a major threat for the West Deptford attack and if there is a Best XI he belongs on even without making the final.   Luke Chatten, Senior, Forward Chatten was playing centrally but he was practically everywhere defensively winning headers, pressing the West Deptford defenders and creating opportunities for his teammates. He was credited with the game-winning assists after his knuckling shot was spilled by the keeper and senior Colton Schaub hit home the rebound.    Landon Maroney, Senior, Midfielder Along with Luke Chatten, Maroney was able to use his size to dominate in the air and also did a great job breaking lines and taking defenders on with his passing, especially in transition. His initial pass off a corner kick for West Deptford started the break that led to the game-winner and his square ball set up the shot that led to the rebounded goal.    <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepsoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2022/10/6N4A9504-1024x658.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-61804" width="454" height="292"/><figcaption>Eddy Rivera</figcaption></figure>   Nick Hartman, Sophomore, Midfielder, West Deptford Hartman has shown throughout the tournament that he's a star in the making. His creativity with the ball and high soccer IQ makes it possible for things to happen even when it looks like a play is going nowhere. His ability to beat players off the dribble and already know what to do next makes him an asset for a team that despite the loss proved themselves worthy of a higher seed than 11.   Eddy Rivera, Senior, Forward, Rancocas Valley RV has so many weapons and had so many players contribute to the attack in their thrilling 4-3 loss to Shawnee but Rivera is the one who was perhaps the most consistent threat on the night. His goal was also arguably the best goal of the night off a killer cross from Jake Bartletta.    Jake Bartletta, Sophomore, Forward, Rancocas Valley Bartletta isn't one of the bigger names on the RV squad but his role in their comeback down 3-1 to Shawnee can't be understated. His cross to Eddy Rivera from the right flank was perfection and it wasn't the only dangerous cross he served in on the night.    Jacob Santamaria, Sophomore, Midfielder, Shawnee Both Santamaria brothers deserve a mention for different reasons. Jacob is a midfielder with a lot of goals to his name but he played more like a center back and was winning balls all over the place against an RV team that gave Shawnee everything they could handle. He also set up his brother's second goal of the night.    Aiden Santamaria, Sophomore, Defender, Shawnee Aiden open the scoring with a nice strike off a deflected Conger pass off a recycled free kick and later made it 3-1 when he collected a diagonal ball from his brother, beat a defender 1v1 and scored with a quick left footed strike that beat the RV keeper to his right post.   Jonathan Swain, Senior, Defender, Rancocas Valley Swain is hard to miss on the RV back line and he provided some match-up challenges for Shawnee, especially on set pieces where he drew a lot of attention and opened up space for teammates.

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Boys Standouts in South Jersey Coaches Cup Semifinals

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