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HADDONFIELD -- The West Deptford boys soccer team felt like it could do nothing right on Friday afternoon.
And unfortunately for the Eagles, Haddonfield could do no wrong.
Suffering from sluggish play for a majority of the game while unable to control one of its main rivals, West Deptford fell to Haddonfield, 6-1, in a clash of Colonial Conference-Liberty Division heavyweights.
“We didn’t come out slow, but then we gave up a goal and just kind of folded,” West Deptford head coach Steve Jakubowski said. “It just seemed like there was a lack of courage throughout from our guys. We faced a lot of adverse situations today, and obviously we didn’t come through on a lot of them.”
Despite the final score, West Deptford (2-2) opened the game matching Haddonfield stride-for-stride, as the teams looked even throughout the first 20 minutes. However, the Bulldawgs scored their first goal in the 24th minute and then never looked back.
Haddonfield (4-1) led 3-0 by the break and then tacked on two more just four minutes into the second half. West Deptford countered with its lone goal in the 61st minute, when Jared Schultes scored on a penalty kick, but the Bulldawgs again answered with their sixth goal in the 68th.
“We tried to make some changes, but they just didn’t seem to work for us,” Jakubowski said. “Our guys just didn’t have it today.”
Haddonfield was led by Max Green and Steve DiTomaso, who each had two goals, while Luke Benedict and Jack Dugan also scored. DiTomaso, Benedict, Dugan, Gabe DaSilva and Sam DeCencio added assists.
Haddonfield goalie Finn Miller made four saves, while West Deptford’s Jackson Clark made 12.
“I was obviously very pleased with the way we played, especially because West Deptford is one of our strongest opponents and best rivals,” Haddonfield head coach Ryan Nixon said. “We always look forward to these games, and that’s because there’s so much mutual respect. But we were very composed today, and took advantage of our chances. This was probably the best game we’ve played this season.”
Haddonfield has opened the season with victories in four of its first five with wins over Overbrook, Schalick and Audubon, and now West Deptford.
Meanwhile, the loss was extremely disappointing for the Eagles, who entered as winners of two straight after the team took down Audubon and Collingswood earlier this week. Before Friday, West Deptford’s lone loss had come to undefeated Sterling.
Despite the setback, Jakubowski said his team learned valuable lessons and his players wouldn’t let one game ruin their season.
“This group is so tight-knit, I don’t think they’ll let this destroy what we have going,” he said. “Yeah, we’re going to dwell on this today and tomorrow. But by Monday but we’re going to get right back after it.”
