CJG4 Finals #6 Manalapan at #1 Freehold

When you are a special team and have a special group of players you find ways to win and sometimes it seems even when your back is to the wall they do not see it that way. For the second straight season, Freehold Township had their backs to the wall trailing in the final ten minutes of the finals and for the second straight year they were able to tie the game and win it in overtime. 

As hard as Manalapan played on defense and as great as freshman goalie Leila Shaw was in net, it was not enough against the #1 team in the Shore. Different players step up in different games or situations and in this game you could tell early on junior Hailey Santiago was not going to allow Freehold Township to lose.

"I have been very fortunate to coach a lot of very talented girls and a lot of competitive girls, but I am not sure I have coached a girl as competitive and who has as much desire to make it happen out there on the field then Hailey," Freehold Township coach Dave Patterson said. "She has been phenomenal all year long and she showed that resolve tonight."

After Manalapan took the lead in the 45th minute off a free kick that was put home by junior Vanessa Sarf, Santiago seemed to step it up another level, giving whoever was defending her a hard time. With the clock clicking down under seven minutes she was to make her move to get her shot off, but it was deflected, and it went right to sophomore Gaby Parker who was able to put the equalizer in. 

"We have been in this position before and we have such a terrific offense," sophomore Ashley Moore said. "I knew we would make something happen up top."

It did not take long into overtime for the Patriots to win it. Santiago put home the golden goal after receiving a through ball from junior Ainsley Moy 2:42 into the first overtime. 

"This is exactly what we came here to do," senior captain Kayla Wong said. "Our motto was redemption and this is one step towards that."

Manalapan gave Freehold Township everything they could handle on this night, a different team from the 4-0 defeat during the season. Shaw did not play like a freshman goalie, having the best game of her young career. The Braves have a good part of this team coming back next season and the freshman who played such a big role this season will be more seasoned. 

Player of the Game
Hailey Santiago

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