Looking to defend their South, Group II title from 2014, the boy’s soccer team saw its 2015 campaign come to an end in the sectional title game to cross-town rival Delran.
The Pirates opened the season on a 5-2 run with victories over Moorestown, Delran and Holy Cross to name a few. Cinnaminson would finish the season with an 11-6-5 mark en route to an appearance in the South, Group 2 title game.
Cinnaminson enjoyed quite a bit of success during the regular season, including a 1-1 tie with Rancocas Valley and a 1-0 victory over Burlington Township on the road after suffering a 3-2 loss at home early in the season.
“One of the best games we played this year was the first time we played R.V., a 1-1 tie at their place,” head coach Jay Meile said. “At that point, they were the number one team in South Jersey and the number one seed in Group IV.”
“Walking out of R.V. with a 1-1 tie, with an opportunity to win the game, showed us we can play with anybody when we had the right mindset. Even the second time we played them at our place, we didn’t have our full roster, and we took them to overtime in a 1-0 loss.”
Boy’s soccer honored a large senior class against Pennsauken on Senior Night, with all 11 getting the starting nod for the contest, that Meile believes will leave a lasting impression on the program.
“Whether they got a ton of time or went two or three games without playing, these kids gave it their all,” Meile said. “Our seniors responded well this year. The seniors led by example. They showed everyone that we play soccer six days a week. We practice Sunday if we play Monday by taking Saturday off. You put your social life on hold for two hours. You give your teammates the best that you have that day.”
The Pirates fell in the opening round of the South Jersey Coaches Cup, 12-11 on penalty kicks to Burlington Township in the middle of the season.
For the state tournament, the Pirates earned the seven seed and opened at home against Pinelands. After allowing a tying goal with 1.2 seconds left on a penalty kick, the game remained tied at two after double overtime.
Cinnaminson took down Pinelands on penalty kicks to advance to the second round of the South, Group II tourney.
The Pirates then went on the road, defeating Middle Township 1-0 and then Manasquan 2-0.
“The kids get caught up on stats and records and all that stuff,” Meile said. “I don’t think a lot of kids went to Middle Township and thought we were going to win. I think they focused on playing a good game. The first 20 minutes of that game we were on our heels and then did a nice job of putting pressure on them before CJ Zimmer netted the gamewinner.”
Because Delran, the eight-seed, scored a host of upsets, the Pirates were able to host the sectional title game. Cinnaminson and Delran played to a 1-1 draw after 100 minutes and the Bears took home the crown with a 4-2 victory in penalty kicks.
Under Meile, the Pirates have now advanced to three sectional final games and played in a state title game in his four-year tenure.
“I did exit interviews last week with all the kids who helped varsity and a couple of things kids said were, ‘I was surprised we went that far.’ I asked what surprised them,” Meile explained.
“Don’t get me wrong, you have to be good and a little lucky to get that far. The odds of us winning a sectional final are probably better than us winning a division because our division is so damn tough.”
Meile offered his final thoughts on his team’s season and how the boys competed from start to finish in 2015.
“We didn’t always play the prettiest of soccer, but we played a different style of soccer from last year to this year. The kids were tough. They didn’t just say, ‘Well, we had a good run the year before.’ They were prepared to do whatever it took. They didn’t care how they won as long as they did whatever they could to give themselves the best chance.”
