HHS settles for tie against division rival Millville

Dan Russoman/THG. Hammonton’s Catalina Caputi (10) dribbles past Millville defender Brynn Hulse (2) during last week’s game.

HAMMONTON—Hammonton High School’s girls’ soccer team had a chance to match last year’s win total of three,- but will have to wait until their next game as they tied with Millville on September 14. The quick footwork on offense paired with the dominant effort on defense contributed to securing a tie at home.

It was a back-and-forth game with fantastic defensive showings by both teams. With 13 to go in the first half, Millville struck first with a score. Hammonton was quick to score three minutes later before alternating dominating on the field for the remainder of the half.

“We had five players starting in this game who are new to our varsity program.” Hammonton coach Ashley Koester said.

“To have a team that is that inexperienced playing in their first conference game go down a goal and then immediately fight back to go ahead 2-1 is extremely encouraging,” she said.

Both teams made minor adjustments made at the half, with Hammonton’s focus on breaking away from the one-on-one matchups. Those adjustments worked in favor of the Blue Devils when the they took an early lead, 2-1. Unfortunately, with seconds to go in regulation, they gave up a score to Millville that sent them into overtime.

While regulation was intense, overtime was equally exciting. Both Hammonton and Millville adjusted their game on the fly as their coaches stuck to the basics: win the matchup, and not giving up the play.

In the end, both teams put up a fantastic fight that resulted in a tie, 2-2. Hammonton improves to 2-0-1 and Millville 0-2-1 early this season. Nonetheless, coach Koester is encouraged by what she saw.

“As long as we continue what we’re doing I think we will set ourselves up for a lot of success this season.” Koester said.

Angelina Coppola and Catalina Caputi both scored goals with Reilyn Carr and Sophia Booker assisting. Juliana Dogostino, who stepped up this year at goalie made 15 saves in the game.

Cali Sloan and Sadie Drozdowski scored a goal each against the Blue Devils as Millville earned its first win of the season.

In other games last week, Hammonton defeated both Camden Tech and Wildwood Catholic.

Opening the season at home against Camden Tech on September 11, Hammonton cruised to a rain-shortened 6-0 victory.

Caputi scored three goals, Carr added two and Coppola had one. Dogostino made two saves.

Against Wildwood Catholic, Ashlyn Silvesti scored a pair of goals while Caputi added one in a 3-0 win. Dogostino made 10 saves to earn the shutout.

Hammonton High School’s girls’ soccer returned to the action on September 18 versus the Mainland Regional Mustangs but the result was too late for this edition. On September 20, the Devils host Egg Harbor Twp. at 4 p.m.