It wasn’t one of their stronger games this season, but boy’s soccer still came away with a come-from-behind victory against Moorestown on Tuesday by a 2-1 count.
“Definitely pleased,” head coach Jay Meile said. “Unfortunately, I thought it took a wake-up call. It took that one goal. It was quiet at halftime. There was no response. Midway through the year this can happen to teams. It was nice that we got refocused, but we can’t give them 50 minutes of ineffective soccer.”
Both teams had plenty of scoring chances in the first half, but neither squad could convert to break the scoreless tie.
Moorestown (3-9) finally broke through just 10 minutes into the second half to take a 1-0 lead when Andrew DeMaio was able to beat the Pirates (7-3-2) defense for the unassisted goal.
Close to 16 minutes passed before the Pirates could tie the contest and change the momentum to their favor.
Tim Campbell, inserted by the coaching staff with the hopes of providing a spark to the offense, did just that when he deposited a laser into the right corner of the net off a pass from Pat McCarthy.
“I saw McCarthy, he was there and I called for the ball,” Campbell said. “I knew had open space, took a touch with my left foot, saw the goalie was over to the left and I kicked it.”
Meile talked about Campbell’s attitude and composure following the Pirates victory.
“That’s his (Campbell) first goal of the year, but he’s had an impact on so many games because of his speed and size. He doesn’t get emotional, he doesn’t complain and I was just glad he was there. I don’t think in the beginning of the year he would take that shot. We need him if we’re going to be making the run we want to make.”
With the game now tied and less than 14 minutes remaining in regulation, the Pirates defense clamped down, protecting Mike Deal in net while waiting for the offense to strike just one more time.
With four minutes remaining in the game, the Pirates were awarded a corner. McCarthy got the ball in front of the net and Mason Stepnowski headed it past goalie Noah Toro for the eventual game winner with 3:57 remaining.
“Like usual, we set it up how we always do,” Stepnowski said. “Pat (McCarthy) flicked it on and I wanted it more than their guy. I saw it and I put it in. That’s just the mindset we have to have. We have to want it more.”
“We were winning the first ball all game,” Meile said. “We had an idea where the ball was going to go. It was a foot race and our guy won. It was exactly how we practice it and how we explain it. It was nice that he did it.”
Both goalies came away from the contest with six saves.
Boy’s soccer returns to action on Thursday, October 15 when the Pirates travel to take on Burlington Township at 3:30pm for a much-anticipated rematch with the Falcons. The Pirates dropped a 3-1 contest earlier this season to Burlington Township.
