Humble and sincere to his core, Ryan Nixon tried to deflect the praise and credit thrust his way after a crucial late-September win Thursday afternoon.
Standing on the same ground that molded him as a player years ago, Nixon was drenched with water after a thrilling 2-1 win over longstanding South Jersey power Rancocas Valley.
That win itself was critical for a Haddonfield team hoping to make up ground in the South Jersey, Group 2 state tournament field and eager to earn a spot in the upcoming South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association Tournament.
But those considerations paled in comparison to the biggest celebration taking place at Haddonfield Stadium postgame after Nixon won his 100th game.
“I’ll be honest with you, it’s been all about the kids during that time,” Nixon said. “As I told them after the game, I’ve never kicked a ball in those 100 victories. I’ve always just been so lucky to have great kids, really hard working kids from great families. To do it here, at my alma mater is a really big deal to me and just giving back to this place that I loved so much when I was growing up. It’s special.”
Nixon has been blessed with enormous talent during his short tenure, but to win 100 games in a little more than six seasons is no small feat.
Even if it took longer than expected to reach with 12 days in between wins 99 and 100.
“It was amazing,” Haddonfield midfielder Connor Fell said. “We were looking for it three games ago because we tied, tied, then lost. It’s been on our minds for a while to do it for him.”
A minute before the goal, Nixon had a conversation with Fell after a turnover, but he went right back to work to give Haddonfield the lead.
“I think he showed today why we put an armband on him before the year,” Nixon said. “I’m not sure how many people expected him to be a captain. He’s willing to put his head where some players probably won’t and get stuck into some challenges that a couple other guys won’t. That was a difference in the game for me."
Haddonfield doubled down on its lead in the 57th minute off a quick counter as Tommy Mollis found Fell who hit a streaking Christian Ball along the left wing.
That goal came after a dangerous sequence for Rancocas Valley that forced keeper Jacob Strauss to make two big saves and became even bigger 14 minutes later when Rancocas Valley cut the deficit to one.
“There are certain landmarks along the way that we don’t want to just stop and take a gander at,” Nixon said. “We want to go and attack and try to conquer them. Today was one of those days. When you play a team like RV, you really have that game circled on your schedule.
“Our goal every year is to get one of the higher seeds if not the top seed in South Jersey, Group 2 and I feel like you really have to win a game like this to be one of those teams that’s in the mix for that spot.”
Nixon pointed toward Rancocas Valley and the program that coaches Damon Petras and Rob Craig have created and cultivated as the bar in South Jersey.
But in his first six seasons, Nixon averaged 16 wins each year and made a couple of trips to a sectional title game. Haddonfield, like Rancocas Valley and Delran and Washington Township is one of those banner programs south of I-195 and doesn’t appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Brian Deakyne may be reached at bdeakyne@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrianDeakyne. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook