West Deptford Boys' Soccer Takes Cruelest Cut in PKs

When 80 minutes of soccer plus overtime is not enough to decide a high school soccer game, the rules demand a thrilling, yet cruel way for the game to be decided: penalty shootouts.

An 11-on-11 game breaks down to a shooter vs. a goalie, each of whom control the fate of their respective teams.

It was a scenario that the boys’ soccer team found itself in Friday afternoon after 100 minutes of soccer could not determine its NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 2 playoff game with Middle Township.

Tim Krott and Dan Devine had staked the No. 5 Eagles to a 2-0 lead in regulation, but No. 4 Middle came back with two goals of its own to force overtime. Two extra sessions could not break the deadlock, so penalty kicks were called on.

West Deptford connected on four of its five penalties, but Middle did one better, going five-for-five to advance to the semifinals with a 2-2 (5-4) victory. Middle will take on No. 1 Haddonfield, which defeated No. 9 Cinnaminson, 3-0.

The loss not only ends West Deptford’s season, but denies the school’s athletic program a third playoff meeting between the Eagles and Bulldawgs. On Monday, the girls’ soccer teams will meet Haddonfield in a semifinal, while on Tuesday the field hockey teams will play for a South Jersey title.