South, Group 2 Final
Friday, Nov. 14
2-West Deptford (14-5-1) at 1-Haddon Heights (16-4-1), 6
Championship History
Haddon Heights has won 3 sectional championships
Outright titles: 2012, 2015, 2016
West Deptford has won 2 sectional championships
Outright titles: 1999, 2013
Path to the Final
Top-seeded Haddon Heights defeated Pennsauken Tech 7-0 in the opening round. Juliet Bennett led the way with one goal and two assists. The Garnets shut out Pleasantville, 3-0, in the quarterfinals as freshman Lily Yanni scored twice and Olive Weyler added one goal and one assist. In the semifinals, Haddon Heights won a dramatic penalty kick shootout against Seneca to reach the championship game. Allie Agin scored once in regulation when the teams played to a 1-1 draw, and Callee Barr made 15 saves, including one in the shootout when the Garnets won 8-7.
West Deptford scored six times in the first half and rolled to a 6-0 win over Lindenwold in the first round. Ella Simko and Adaya Tighe had one goal and two assists each to lead the way. The Eagles stayed hot in the quarterfinals with a 6-0 win over Cedar Creek as Tighe (2g, 2a) and Simko (2g, 1a) led the way again. In the semifinals, Simko scored twice, Lexi Varela scored once and Brianna McKeever stopped a penalty kick to lead West Deptford to a 3-1 victory over Haddonfield.
Players to Watch
Haddon Heights starters and key reserves
GK-Callee Barr, Jr.; B-Maeve Schroeder, So.; B-Brielle Connor, Sr.; M-Moira Schroeder, Sr.; M-Hailey Yanni, So.; M-Juliet Bennett, Fr.; M-Allie Agin, Jr.; M-Francesca Mannello, Jr.; M/F-Emma Harris, Jr.; F-Maddison Cardone, Fr.; F-Lily Yanni, Fr.; B-Olive Weyler, Jr.; M-Ryen Lewis, Sr.; D-Kierstyn Griffith, Sr.; M-Payton Bailey, Sr.; F-Mia Lilly, Sr.; F-Evie Kovacs, Sr.
West Deptford starters and key reserves
GK-Brianna McKeever, Jr.; F-Lexi Varela, Sr.; M-Rylee Delaney, Sr.; Syd O’Loughlin, Sr.; Emelya Federico, So.; F-Ella Simko, So.; M-Maddie Eastlack, Sr.; Maddie Cowan, Jr.; Devyn Hightower, Fr.; Adaya Tighe, Jr.; D-Riley Walsh, Jr.; Maddie Laxton, Jr.; Addison Fronza, Jr.; Audra Phelps, Jr.
Haddon Heights wins if…
The Garnets are playing excellent soccer entering the sectional final where they will try to win the program’s first championship since 2016. They are 6-0-1 in their last seven games after a white-knuckle victory over Senca via penalty kicks in the semifinals. They have solid scoring depth with three players with 10 or more goals this season. Senior midfielder Moira Schroeder and junior midfielder/forward Emma Harris have led the way with freshman forward Lily Yanni providing a scoring punch with 10 goals in her debut season. Junior goalkeeper Callee Barr has eight shutouts this season and was excellent in the semifinal victory over Seneca with 15 saves, plus another in the shootout. This figures to be a tight game similar to the regular-season meeting won by the Garnets, 3-2.
West Deptford wins if…
The Eagles are on fire entering the sectional final having outscored their state tournament opponents 15-1 in three games. West Deptford has won 10 straight games and outscored opponents 51-6 during that stretch. Sophomore forward Ella Simko has been tremendous with a team-high 21 goals and 15 assists. Senior Lexi Varela has 17 goals and is also having a great fall. The Eagles will be trying to win their first sectional title since 2013, and to do so, they’ll have to avenge a 3-2 regular-season loss to Haddon Heights. The Eagles come into the game with a ton of momentum both on offense and defense where junior Brianna McKeever has been stellar in goal.
Prediction
West Deptford, 2-1
Girls Soccer