Coaches Tournament Shows Local High School Soccer at its Best
The top 16 teams in South Jersey, regardless of Group size, are selected to play in both the boys’ and girls’ tournaments. The teams are selected from the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association Top 20 poll.
The Coaches Tournament often pits the small schools against the heavyweights from Group 4 and Non-Public A.
That was proven as recently as 2022 when Group 2 Sterling emerged as the girls’ champion. The year before in 2022 Group 1 Haddon Township captured the boys’ title.
This single-elimination tournament also prepares teams for the NJSIAA state tournament, which begins the week after the Coaches Tournament championship.
Once again, this year’s Coaches Tournament delivered big-time.
Paul VI won its first girls’ title by overcoming a 2-0 deficit to defeat last year’s champion Shawnee, 3-2 in double overtime, with Emma McCarthy scoring the game-winner on a header in the 98th minute.
In the nightcap, Washington Township used an OT goal by Ayden Anderson to defeat St. Augustine, 1-0 in the boys’ title game.
More than the action, which showcased a high level of skill in both games, this event brings out the South Jersey soccer community.
The finals were staged under the lights at DeCou Field in Cherry Hill and both games drew huge crowds.
There were a lot of youngsters in the audience, no doubt hoping to one day perform in South Jersey’s premier event.
The history of the Coaches Tournament dates back to 1971 when Cinnaminson won the first boys’ title.
In 1984, the girls’ tournament started and it was won by JFK, a school from Willingboro that has since closed.
The tournament is so challenging that teams have to win four games to emerge as champion.
Paul VI is the consensus No. 1 girls’ soccer team in South Jersey. The Eagles had convincing wins in the opening two rounds, but were then tested to the limit by fellow Olympic Conference teams. The Eagles scored a 2-1 overtime win over Cherokee on a game-winning goal by Eleanor Lawyer in the 85th minute, before staging their comeback against Shawnee.
In boys’ action, Washington Township was tested in a 1-0 second-round win over Cherry Hill East and again in the championship game. The Minutemen, who were seeded third, defeated Ocean City, 4-1 in the semifinal.
The pressure in the state tournament of playing in a one-and-done event, is certainly simulated in the Coaches Tournament.
What is best about the Coaches Tournament is that it attracts soccer fans from throughout South Jersey, even more than the state tournament.
That is because the semifinals (which were also at DeCou) and finals are staged at a central location.
It is the last competition before the second season of the NJSIAA tournament begins and the big crowds and high level of play once again demonstrated why this is one of the top events not just for soccer, but for any sport in South Jersey.
Photo: Washington Township after winning the Coaches Tournament title
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Author: Marc Narducci
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