Haddon Township Boys' Soccer Team Wins South Jersey Title

Led by a record breaking forward and a record breaking offense, the Haddon Township High School boys’ soccer team captured its second South Jersey title in three years on Friday.

The top-seeded Hawks defeated No. 2 Palmyra, 6-1, to capture the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 1 title. They will play in the state semifinals against a team to be determined Tuesday night at Haddonfield High School.

Junior forward Kyler White, playing his first year of high school soccer after playing goalie for the Philadelphia Union’s under-18 squad up until last year, put Haddon Township on the board in the eighth minute with his 26th goal of the season, which set a new single season scoring record at Haddon Township. It came from 20 yards out on a direct kick.

White added his 27th goal of the year early in the second half. That goal put the Hawks up 4-1, but there was a time early in the game where the outcome was still in doubt.

In the 17th minute, Pat Franecki found the back of the net for Palmyra to tie the game at 1-1.

“I was upset with myself,” senior goalie Scott LaPan said. But I had confidence in my guys. I had to get it out of my head for the rest of the game. I knew we would get another goal.”

LaPan had good reason to expect another goal. It’s been the trend this season for a team that scored more than 100 goals in a season for the first time in  the history of the program.

According to head coach Jim Bonder, five players have scored 10 goals or more this season.

“There was no panic at all,” White said. “We knew we would continue to play our usual game.”

There was no reason for the Hawks to panic. Sophomore forward Bah Moo gave the lead back to Haddon Township with two goals in the course of a minute, just under 30 minutes into the game.

The team never looked back.

Junior forward Elzo Dunn and senior back Kyler Wade scored the final two goals of the game.

Wade is known for putting points on the board, but not usually in the form of goals. He holds the school’s single season assists record, with 22 this season.

“We are solid across the field,” Bonder said. “Everyone contributes.”

The Hawks start just three seniors, including White, Wade and Matt Charlton. There are four total on the roster. There are also 11 juniors, two sophomores and two freshmen.

The team is very young, but had high expectations coming into the season after winning the state title in 2011 and advancing to the South Jersey final last year.

The Hawks went 20-3 and earned the top seed in the playoffs. They outscored their playoff opponents 22-4 en route to the title.

“It’s been our goal all season to get to (the state final),” LaPan said. “Our coach always tells us, ‘Don’t let this be your last practice’ before every playoff game. We have another practice in us and another game.”