Girls Standouts in South Jersey Coaches Cup Semifinals
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Olympic Conference rivals Eastern Regional and Shawnee both won their South Jersey Coaches Cup semifinals on Wednesday night to set up a meeting between the two South Jersey powerhouses tonight at 6 p.m. at DeCou Sports Complex in Cherry Hill.…
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Continue ReadingOlympic Conference rivals Eastern Regional and Shawnee both won their South Jersey Coaches Cup semifinals on Wednesday night to set up a meeting between the two South Jersey powerhouses tonight at 6 p.m. at DeCou Sports Complex in Cherry Hill.
Both teams made it through their semifinals – Eastern against Cherokee and Shawnee against Cherry Hill West – with strong defense against talented attacking teams, solid goalkeeping and timely offense.
Here’s a look at the players that stood out to me in the games played simultaneously on Wednesday.
Joelle Giguinto, Sophomore, Defender, Shawnee
Guguinto had a good night both on the back line and in the attack. She scored a late goal to ice the 2-0 win over Cherry Hill West and also forced a save on a free kick that set up the corner that led to the first goal of the game. She also did well to limit chances for double-digit goal scorers Kennedy Erdman and
Reilly McGlinn
Reilly
McGlinn
F
NJ
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Ava Clark, Senior, Goalkeeper, Eastern
In a game where Cherokee had a lot of the ball and was player the better attacking soccer, Clark had to do what she’s done so often for the Vikings this season – step up. She finished the night with six saves, none bigger than one she was able to push off the bar on an
Olivia Marrone
Olivia
Marrone
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Cherokee (NJ) | 2023
State
NJ
shot.
Jada Branford, Junior, Goalkeeper, Cherokee
For as good as Clark was, Branford was even better in her 45 minutes of play in the first half. She was unlucky to concede a goal after making a diving stop but she was pretty sensational and kept Eastern from grabbing an early lead and running away with the game.
Eva Matesich, Sophomore, Shawnee
Matesich scored the eventual game winner 10 minutes in with a strong header in traffic off the Mackenzie McCready corner.
Kennedy Erdman, Junior, Forward, Cherry Hill West
Even though Erdman didn’t get on the score sheet on the night it was easy to see how she has stuffed the stat sheet with 16 goals and 7 assists on the year. She’s strong with the ball at her feet and putting herself into dangerous positions.
Reilly McGlinn
Reilly
McGlinn
F
NJ
, Senior, Midfielder, Cherry Hill West
Cherry Hill West’s other stat sheet stuffer was kept in check on the night but she was still able to create off the ball and attract a lot of attention in the middle of the park.
Kasey Eustace
Kasey
Eustace
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Eastern (NJ) | 2024
NJ
, Junior, Forward, Eastern
Eustace was able to score the game-winner when she pounced on a rebound and blasted the put back in the first half. It was a big moment for Eastern with Cherokee having the better chances going the other way and Jada Branford cleaning up the chances they were able to generate.
Katie Ulmer
Katie
Ulmer
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NJ
, Senior, Forward, Cherokee
Ulmer had some bright attacking moments on the night with some dangerous crosses and strong movements toward goal. Despite getting shut out 2-0, Cherokee looked dangerous throughout.
Olivia Marrone
Olivia
Marrone
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Cherokee (NJ) | 2023
State
NJ
, Senior, Forward, Cherokee
Marrone was so close to putting Cherokee on the board and back into the game when Ava Clark denied her with a highlight-reel save. Like Ulmer, Marrone was a danger throughout the match.
Annelese Ribeiro, Senior, Defender, Shawnee
Annelese was active from the left back spot both in the attack and on defense in a strong overall defensive performance for the Renegades in keeping a clean sheet against a talented offense.
Remi Cherkas, Junior, Defender, Eastern
One of Eastern’s strengths this year has been their defense and while everyone on the back line could get a mention here for the overall job they did against a very good Cherokee team, I’m going to highlight Cherkas for her work rate, hustle and tenacity. Eastern wasn’t the more attractive team on the night but they were grittier in part thanks to the play of Cherkas on the back line.