#7 Middletown South at #1 Freehold Township

Opening day has come and it did not disappoint.  The reigning Shore Conference champions and

preseason #1 Freehold Township hosted #7 Middletown South to open up the season and edged out an

1-0 victory over the Eagles.  The Patriots were able to break the tie at the 61st minute when junior Hailey

Santiago broke down the sideline after Freehold Twp cleared a free kick and cut to the middle, beating

two MS defenders and then blasted it past Eagles goalie Allie Greco.


"If it wasn't for my team getting the ball out to me, I don't think that goal would have ever happened."

Santiago said.  "My determination to get the ball in the net because we were tied 0-0 I had to get that

ball into the net so I used my speed and did my signature move that I always do."


Up until that point it was a very even game with both teams coming up with scoring chances, but both

goalies were up to test today. Early in the first half the Eagles had a couple chances using the long ball

to get senior Makayla Jaffe free with two breakaways, but Freehold Twp was able to recover each time

causing Jaffe to miss.  Midway through the first half the Patriots made a defensive adjustment and

took away the breakaway from Jaffe.


"We started to play one step and one drop behind and it took a little bit of time for us to understand how

we wanted to play," Freehold Twp Coach Dave Patterson said. "Makayla is so fast and so strong that when

she beats that first player we needed to make sure we had that next player right there to slow down

the run."


The Patriots had a chance to open up the scoring just two minutes prior when sophomore Danielle

Howard made a nice cross to sophomore Gaby Parker but she could not finish. 


Middletown South's best chance in the second half came off senior Abby Doherty free kick when she

served the ball into the box, unfortunately the counter led to the Patriots lone goal. 


Freehold Twp had their best chance to add to the lead at the 67th minute when Parker's shot hit the

crossbar and she followed it with a header that sailed over the crossbar. 


Freehold Twp sophomore goalie Ashley Moore started the season off with a shut-out and looked calm

all game yelling instructions all over the field from the opening whistle to the end whistle. 


"The difference I have seen in Ashley is her confidence, " Coach Patterson said. "The way she directs

and instructs the back line there is no doubt she is so much more comfortable."


My player of the game is Freehold Twp senior Gabby Koluch who had a physical battle to help

shut down Jaffee.

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