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Schools

West Deptford Field Hockey Rally Falls Short Against Haddonfield

The Eagles registered five shots in the final minute, but could not find the back of the cage in a 2-1 loss.

Shot after shot was sent Maura Trotman’s way–five in all–in the final minute.

The Haddonfield High School field hockey goalie was able to stop them all, and by doing so, smother the comeback attempt by West Deptford. Haddonfield jumped out to a 2-0 lead and held on down the stretch for a 2-1 win in Colonial Conference Liberty Division matchup Thursday.

“I thought we were going to (score)," said West Deptford senior Claudia Theriault. “We had the goalie moved. She was on the ground at one point, it just didn’t work out.”

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Theriault scored with 10 minutes, 48 seconds left in regulation to bring the Eagles within 2-1, and West Deptford tried feverishly to get the equalizer. The Eagles pressured the Bulldawgs relentlessly over the final few minutes, but Trotman was up to the task.

“Maura is having a great season,” said Haddonfield senior Carolynn Clark. “She was awesome back there. I am definitely thankful we have her.”

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Haddonfield (12-0) was also thankful to have Clark.

The talented striker scored both twice and accounted for all four goals scored against the Eagles (7-3) in the two games in the series.

“It’s always a big rivalry, so I just wanted to show my teammates that we deserved this win,” said Clark.

The game was back and forth throughout the first half. Haddonfield looked like it would break through with 12 minutes left, but a shot that seemed destined for the back of the cage was knocked away at the goal line by Theriault, who was covering the back post.

“It was just reflex,” said Theriault. “It was so quick that I didn’t even know what was going on, but I got my stick down there and got it out.”

The Bulldawgs finally did solve the Eagles’ defense with just over five minutes left, as Clark fired home a shot to give Haddonfield a 1-0 lead going into the half.

Clark added her second goal 3:11 into the half to give her team a cushion.

“It was important to get the second goal, because you never know if they are going to come back and score,” Clark said.

The second goal proved to be the game-winner, as Theriault scored with 10:48 left to bring the Eagles within 2-1. From there the Bulldawgs had to simply hang on.

“We were pretty good for the first 20 minutes, but then once they got that goal, we let down a little,” said Theriault. “When we got that goal in the second half, it brought our spirits back up. We did awesome down there, we just couldn’t get it in.”

“Our coach always tells us to play for the full 60 minutes,“ said Clark. “I know we kind of slowed down at the end, but we managed to finish it.”

The win all but assures Haddonfield of winning the Liberty Division, a feat the Eagles achieved last year. Though West Deptford will not be at the top of the division standings at year’s end, the players know they still have a shot at redemption come the postseason.

“We hope to see them in the playoffs, so we are going to work harder,” Theriault said.

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