It Wasn't Pretty But We'll Take It - HMHS 2, W. Deptford 0

  "A W is a W," said a relieved Haddonfield Coach Glenn Gess moments after the Bulldogs ran their record to 10-0 with a 2-0 shutout of archrival West Deptford on a slippery HMHS field.

   It wasn't pretty off the field either, but like the girls on the field we got it done.

   Driving home from work in Marlton through a rain shower at 5 o'clock I never thought we'd play.  But an hour later the stadium field was eminently playable - just a little slippery.

   It was nice, as always, to chat with West Deptford's assistant coach, Amy Leso, who has been with the program since Kirsten's senior year - 1996.  Also nice to see referee Bob Brunson, a veteran of the high school and club games who always does a top notch job.

  The ball girls arrived on time and were briefed, programs were available for the fans, I had the starting line-ups, and we were ahead of schedule.  And there was no rain.  Then the problems started.  Haddonfield AD Lefty Banos had the national anthem on his phone plugged into the stadium amp.  Except it wouldn't play for what seemed like an hour but actually lasted only until, "What so proudly we hailed . . ."  Then there was electronic feedback.  Then when I began announcing Coach Frank Ottinger came running over to scream up to us that the volume was too low and no one could hear us.  Lefty made an adjustment - more blood-curdling screeching.

  The system finally worked, the starters were introduced and the game was underway.  It was another HMHS - West Deptford classic with intense end-to-end play, momentum swings and some controversy.  Haddonfield appeared to have taken the lead in the first three minutes only to see referee John Mauger nullify the goal for offsides.  (She was.)  The the West Deptford fans began complaining loudly about the lines on the field.  They had a point.

  Haddonfield finally notched a goal that counted on a long Olivia Blaber throw in that appeared to go right into the goal.  Which would have meant it did not count because throw-ins are indirect, a rule the visiting fans made a point of calling the the attention of the officials.  But the goal stood and it was 1-0 with 19:31 to play.  (The girls told me after the game that the ball brushed the keeper's fingertips on the way in.)  HMHS increased the advantage 3:36 before intermission when an Eagles defender knocked the ball into her own goal.

   Both teams had chances in the second half and West Deptford came within inches of closing the gap with 36 minutes still to go when a ball rolled just wide right of Haddonfield's goal.  As the game wore on the fog thickened and West Deptford gave its best shot but could not find the back of the net.

   Only two night games this season and this was one.  Next up is Collingswood in three weeks.