High School Girls Soccer (Preseason):
Haddonfield Tops Lady Cougars In Soccer Warmup

Tuesday, September 8, 1998

By Forrest Robleto
SJSports Staff Writer

Despite several chances and two beautiful breakaways by Christy Madden, Cherry Hill East didn't get anything past Haddonfield's keeper Alexis George. She was all-state last year as a sophomore and celebrated her birthday on Monday. George stopped Madden twice in Haddonfield's 1-0 win over Cherry Hill East at Richterman Field. Haddonfield was just coming off a 5-0 win over Moorestown and Cherry Hill from a 2-1 win over West Deptford.

With about 13 seconds left in the first half, East was awarded a penalty kick. Julie German kicked the ball solidly into George who made most of her saves that way.

Carolyn Snyder stopped some good shots. Haddonfield's only goal came after Snyder was knocked to the ground in what was apparently an innocent collision. The ball came loose and a Haddonfield player kicked it in from just outside the left corner of the goal hard into the right side of the net.

In what was her second breakaway of the game, Christy Madden used pure speed to leave two defenders well behind and go one on one with Alexis George. George dove to her left to make the save but the ball trickled loose and Christy got a second shot at it. Somehow George managed to just get enough of that second shot to control it.

With less than three minutes left in the game, Marissa Kravitz made a beautiful corner kick which curved around and was destined for the far side of the net. George found just enough height to snatch the ball out of the air. Kravitz, who scored two goals in the game against West Deptford, played well and did everything but score. Meridith Sobel also had a good game. The Cherry Hill team played very well but not well enough to crack the Haddonfield defense.

Haddonfield coach Charlie Keil believes, "the main thing is, the most important part of our defense [is] we only gave up ten goals all season, and we returned our goal tender Alexis George who will start for the third year." He has seven returning starters from last year when they were State Co-champions, including, "midfielder, Lori Cornavolley, ...[who] had fifteen goals last year" and "Christa Macanlist starting her third year at stopper-back."

"All three girls, Alexis, Lori, and Christa were All-Conference last year," said Coach Keil. "So I have three All-Conference players returning and the fact that we went to the state championship game last year and I have 12 players played in the state championship game. It gives us some experience to build with. Really they're just a good group of kids."

The Lady Bulldogs meet Cherokee at Haddonfield on Wednesday the ninth. Keil called them very good. The Lady Cougars go to Collingswood on Thursday.

Photos by Forrest Robleto