Stanton Does Carli Lloyd Imitation As Bulldawgs Go Through In S.J Coaches Cup

HADDONFIELD, NJ, October 22, 2016 -- Sweeper Annie Stanton took a page from Carli Lloyd's book (you remember THAT goal in the 2015 World Cup final) when she lofted a ball from maybe 40 yards out towards the goal and saw it take a high bounce over opposing  keeper Angelina Blanchet's head and into the net with 28:11 left in the second half.

Haddonfield was up, 1-0, over Mainland Regional High School in the first round of the South Jersey Coaches Cup in the Haddonfield Stadium.  The Bulldogs made the lead stand up to go through to the second round Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Cinnaminson.

The game was played on a chilly , overcast day with a few sprinkles and enough of a wind blowing towards the school building (the direction of Stanton's goal) to be noticed.  The game was televised on Varsity Sports Net and will be shown several times this week on Channel 19 on Comcast and Channel 46 on Verizon.

I sat in the press box the second half and got to listen to the play-by-play, which I thought was pretty good.  All three announcers showed preparation and a knowledge of the game.

At halftime the broadcasters thought Mainland had the better of the play in the scoreless first half although Haddonfield goalie Maya Olimpio did not make a save until there were just under three minutes to play.  The Mustangs did put one shot just inches wide left in the 28th minute.

Mainland came out fast to open the second half and in the 44th minute appeared to have drawn first blood only to see the goal called back for offsides.   "We've already seen more action here in the first five minutes of the first half than in all 40 minutes of the first half," commented on of the TV guys.

But the tide began to turn.  "Whatever Coach Lori Quintavalle said at halftime seems to have worked," said one of the announcers.  The Bulldogs began to apply more pressure and when Stanton had the ball she said she just wanted to loft it over the head of Mainland's back line so one of her teammates could run on to it and shoot from close in.  I always told my players that good things can happen when they put the ball on net and Stanton learned - as Lloyd already knew - that this is very true.   Whether it was the wind, Blanchet's unfamiliarity with the turf field or something else, doesn't matter. 

There were a few nervous moments after Stanton's goal.  With 17:25 left Olimpio made a difficult clutch save when she tipped a hard shot over the bar.  With 12:29 left the Mustangs had a free kick from far out and like Stanton's goal, it took a high bounce but went off the left post into Olimpio's arms.  "The soccer gods giveth and the soccer gods taketh away," said one of the announcers.

Haddonfield seemed to get stronger as Mainland tried to mount an attack that would send the match into overtime.  One of the broadcasters said, "Mainland looks work down out there."  After the final whistle, another remarked, "Some teams might have sat back and played defense but they kept the pressure on.  That's why they're 19-0-0.  Teams like that find a way to put the ball in the back of the net."