Paul VI overcomes two-goal deficit, wins first South Jersey Coaches Cup in overtime

They say a 2-0 lead is the most dangerous lead in soccer and against a team with as many attacking weapons as Paul VI that was almost an understatement in the South Jersey Coaches Cup final on Saturday night in Cherry Hill.

Madison Zaun had staked the defending champions Shawnee to a 2-0 lead with nearly identical off-the-crossbar and in goals early in each half but Paul VI had seen so much of the ball weaving down the field it was only a matter of time before a goal would come and the resurgence would follow.

Renegades goalkeeper Maddie Dubler had saved a penalty and done well under pressure throughout but two moments of brilliance on a well struck free kick from Hunter Kintzing in the 65th minute and a Kylie Berk rocket from outside a minute later put the game on level terms in the amount of time it would take to walk from the packed hillside at the DeCou Complex to the concession table just outside the gate.

“It was frustrating for everyone to go down but we do really well with keeping our heads up and knowing what we have to do and what we have to accomplish,” said Berk, who is one of five players on the team with double digits in goals this season. “I think our mindset and our energy helped us a lot to get the one goal and then the second goal, and then when it came to overtime, I think we just were at a whole ‘nother level of working hard.”

Paul VI continued to have most of the ball in overtime and nearly ended the game in the first period when Daniela Vogel curled a right-footed shot to the far post from the left flank. The ball hit the right post and bounced away from goal.

“I think a great team always finds a way to come back no matter what the score is or how we played in the first half,” Vogel said. “I think we’ve shown that we’re more than just an average team and that our strength is that it isn’t just one person scoring the goals and we’re all happy no matter who it is.” 

In the end Saturday night, it was a player who is no stranger to big goals that delivered the winner: Emma McCarthy. The senior UNC lacrosse commit had been battling in the box all night and was able to head in Kintzing’s set piece with time running out in the second overtime to grab the sudden victory. McCarthy, a senior, scored the lone goal in the first overtime to capture Paul VI’s first state title last November and repeated the feat for the program’s first coaches cup.

“She was sneaking in the attack here and there and it was almost like it was just waiting for that right moment and you know, it was her mom’s birthday,” head coach Karen Anderson said. “What a great birthday gift for her mom today to have that game winner and to bring home the coaches cup to Paul VI for the first time.”

The win was the 20th of the season for the officially unblemished Eagles, which return to the Non-Public A South tournament on Thursday after a first round bye.