High School Soccer:
Haddonfield Stops the Top Seed in Finals

Friday, November 10, 2006

By Susan Hall
SJSports Special Correspondent

The top two seeds had advanced to the finals of the South Jersey Group II girls' soccer tournament and both teams had their reasons why they should win. The Green Wave from Audubon was the number one seed hosting this game against a very determined Haddonfield soccer team. The second seeded Bulldogs made themselves right at home matching Audubon's intensity on every possession. Haddonfield would score the first goal of this game and that goal by Natalie Dickson proved to be the game winner. The Bulldogs' defense would shut out Audubon as they moved into the state semi-finals with their 4-0 win. Goalie Frances Nicoletti preserved the shutout for Haddonfield.

Both teams proved they were the better soccer team on the field as their road to the finals tested each player's ability. Haddonfield and Audubon each won a game decided by penalty kicks and they knew how close their season could have ended. By advancing to the group finals, both teams had something to prove as this physically played game resulted in a penalty kick that the Bulldogs took full advantage. Dickson converted the first of two free kicks for Haddonfield during the first half. Audubon would continue to apply pressure on the defense but the Bulldogs would respond by scoring four first half goals. The second half watched Haddonfield protect their lead and would be able to keep the Wave from scoring. Dickson scored two goals in the game for Haddonfield while Maggie Lupinski and Maureen O’Donnell each scored a goal helping the Bulldogs move closer to the state title game.