When Delran soccer star Carli Lloyd scored the winning goal during overtime in the U.S. women’s soccer team’s match against Brazil, snagging the team an Olympic gold medal, her fans back home in South Jersey erupted into cheers.

“When she scored the goal, we went sprinting around the restaurant screaming,” said 12-year-old Ally Fiatl, who was one of about 100 people who came to the Champs restaurant in Marlton to watch the game.

Fiatl knows Lloyd from the Universal Soccer Academy in Medford, where Lloyd’s trainer works as director of soccer operations. Fiatl was one of a crowd of girls who showed up wearing shirts signed by Lloyd to cheer her on.

Lloyd’s personal trainer, James Galanis, got a text message from Lloyd right away.

“The first thing she said was, ‘Thank you for everything. I’m so happy,’” said Galanis.

Galanis and Lloyd’s other trainer in speed and mental fitness, Almon Gunter, said the fact the team went into overtime worked in favor of the U.S. team because its players had the advantage in endurance and physical strength.

“Brazil has better soccer players, but the U.S. has better athletes,” said Galanis.

Galanis and Gunter agreed that, from the beginning, the U.S. was not favored to win. The team lost a top player earlier to injuries; Brazil had the momentum from winning the World Cup game against the U.S. in November; and the U.S. team lost its first game in the Olympics against Norway.

“They were underdogs the whole way,” said Galanis. “That’s why it’s an amazing accomplishment.”

Galanis said the victory proved that “U.S. women’s soccer has turned a new page.”