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NEWFIELD—Playing better than it has in more than a decade, Hammonton High School’s girls soccer team notched one of its biggest wins in several seasons last week, defeating previously unbeaten Our Lady of Mercy Academy (OLMA) on the road 4-1 on October 2.
“This is definitely the biggest win I’ve had as coach here and probably our biggest in a while,” Hammonton coach Ashley Hallgring said.
Hallgring took over as Hammonton’s coach in 2020, and this is by far the program’s strongest season under her direction.
“It’s been a tough go at the last couple of years. So, this was huge. A huge win,” she said.
The Blue Devils were underdogs against the host Villagers, who lead the Cape Atlantic League (CAL) National Division standings and brought an 8-0-1 record into last week’s matchup. OLMA had won an early-season game against the Blue Devils 3-2.
“I think we had a bitter taste in our mouth. When we played them the first time, it was one of our first games. We were still figuring things out with just our younger kids. Our lineup, every formation, everything we were still figuring out at the start of the season and us watching film on them. So, we watched our film against them, and were like, ‘We’re way better than what we are on this film right now. Like way better. We can come over here and get these guys,’” Hallgring said.
Reilyn Carr put Hammonton on the board early in the first half, scoring on a direct kick, and near the break, Catalina Caputi fired a shot from outside the 18-yard box to give the Blue Devils a 2-0 advantage against a shocked OLMA team that had kept the ball in front of Hammonton’s net for most of the first 40 minutes but was frustrated by a strong defensive effort from the Blue Devils.
Hallgring credited the defense as the difference in the win.
“Oh my gosh, it was huge. Yeah, I called out a couple of my defenders today. I mean I had one, Juliette Watson, I think she had 12 blocks herself. She was all over the place. It was unreal. They’ve been locking down everything all year. We haven’t given up a ton of goals this year and they’ve been doing a great job. And to have a freshman in the net [goalie Lyla Cassidy] and to not give up a ton of goals, like I think it speaks wonders not only for our freshmen, but for our backline,” Hallgring said.
OLMA fought back early in the second half, cutting Hammonton’s lead in half when Lauren Terista scored, but a few minutes later, Ashlyn Slivesti split two defenders and sent a shot past OLMA keeper Julia Coyle to put the Blue Devils back in front by two scores.
Later in the half, Carr was awarded a penalty kick and converted to cap the win.
The victory solidified Hammonton’s chances for a spot in the CAL playoffs and also provided them a bunch of power points for the South Jersey Group 3 tournament.
“This is a huge boost for us power point wise. And, we’re where we belong now division wise. So, it’s nice to finally be able to compete,” Hallgring said.
Beginning this week with an 8-2-1 record, its best in more than 10 years, Hammonton just hopes to keep getting better.
“Absolutely. Just build on it. Um, yeah. Keep rolling,” Hallgring said.
In other action last week, Hammonton beat Oakcrest and ACIT.
In a5-1 win against Oakcrest, Silvesti scored twice and Sophia Booker, Dakota Bellina and Watson each added goals.
Hammonton capped a strong week on October 4, defeating ACIT 8-1.
Silvesti scored three times in the win, while Carr, Booker, Hannah Waddell, Caputi and Angelina Coppola also scored.
Earlier this week, the Blue Devils played at Cedar Creek but that game ended too late for this addition. On October 10, Hammonton hosts Absegami at 4 p.m.
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