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Sports

DePinho's OT Goal Saves the Day for Watchung Hills

Goal in the closing seconds of double overtime gives the Warriors a dramatic victory.

The Watchung Hills Regional High School girls soccer team took down Franklin High School in Warren on Monday afternoon, winning 2-1 in double overtime.

1st 2nd 1st OT 2nd OT Final Franklin 0 1 0 0 1 Watchung Hills 0 1 0 1 2

In Short

After dominating the first half, the Warriors got a goal midway through the second half only to see Franklin equalize the game less than two minutes later.  On the verge of a tie in double overtime, Watchung scored the game winning goal right before the final whistle blew.  It moved the Warriors record to 4-2.

Warrior of the Game

Samantha DePinho—The sophomore notched the game winner in the closing seconds of double overtime.  After the Warriors pushed the ball forward, DePinho pulled the trigger on a shot from 35 yards away with her right foot.  The ball sailed right towards the crossbar and ducked under it and above the goalkeeper’s hand, as the Warriors streamed off the sideline and mobbed her on the field. 

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Other Key Performances 

Jessica Soldiviero – The junior got the Warriors on the board first with 27 minutes left in regulation, as she slammed a ball from 30 yards out that went underneath a diving Franklin goalkeeper and snuck over the goal line. 

They Said It

“I know there’s a lot of pressure but I just wanted to win with my teammates.  We did hard work today.”—Samantha DePinho

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Coach’s Take

“We’re having a difficult time scoring.  Everything to get [to that point] looks great, we just need that finishing touch.  It was very frustrating.” – Head Coach Dan Root on the first half

“That’s the key.  Get it on goal somehow.  She did it with her right foot.  She’s a lefty.  It was clutch.” – Root on DePinho’s shot

Up Next: Bridgewater-Raritan Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.

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