Lewis’ hat trick powers Willingboro

First, she drilled a free kick into the crossbar. Then, she hit the post on a breakaway. Next, it was a header that missed the goal by about a foot.

What stuck out about each miss was just how great of an opportunity it was.

That's the secret to Taylor Lewis' success. The senior striker on the Willingboro girls' soccer team simply creates quality opportunities. Eventually, one, or two, or three always seem to find the back of the net.

Lewis netted three goals, two late in the second half during a relentless, come-from-behind effort, in a 4-3 win over Palmyra on the road Tuesday night.

The three goals gave her 34 for the season and an incredible 114 for her storied career.

"My idea when I'm playing is if I think I can get the goal, I try to get the goal," said Lewis, who broke the 20-year-old Willingboro career record for goals with her 104th on Oct. 10.

"But the secret is that I also use my teammates. We just keep pushing and pushing, and usually good things will happen."

With two players marking her and a third usually joining in every time she touches the ball, Lewis uses her teammates as if it's an art form.

She shows great touch on passes when she has to but proves equally dangerous, if not more so, on her crosses in front of the net, which nearly resulted in at least three goals Tuesday night.

But when she sees an opportunity to score, Lewis shows why she's so versatile - she's strong in every scenario, nearly anywhere on the field.

"If I needed a sweeper, she could play sweeper," said Pete Abiuso, in his 10th year coaching Willingboro (9-6). "And I think her skills and her speed go along with how competitive she is. She's probably the most competitive player I've been around."

Lewis, who has been playing soccer since she was four, says she always has had a knack for the goal.

Abiuso describes the senior as a great all-around athlete, as evidenced in the fact that, despite playing soccer year-round, she also has been playing varsity softball and basketball since her freshman year.

"She's just the complete package," Abiuso said. "She's a leader, and she's a pleasure to coach."

Despite quickly pointing to the importance of her assists and her ability to involve her teammates, Lewis is admittedly a goal-scorer at heart.

"It meant a lot that I was able to break Willingboro's scoring record," said Lewis, who has not yet decided on a college. "I feel good how that I was able to work so hard and give something back to the people who have encouraged me and supported me. It makes me want to work harder and harder."

Her hard work might have been what pushed her to an improbable 114 career goals. But some things simply can't be coached.

Midway through the first half against Palmyra, Lewis reared back from about 20 yards out and fired a bending shot that banked into the net off the far post.

Talking about the goal after the game, Lewis smiled, almost not wanting to concede it:

"That's actually exactly where I was aiming that shot. But I just try to stay determined, and know that if I keep pushing, the goalie is going to miss the ball at some point."

Willingboro   2 2 – 4

Palmyra   3 0 – 3

Goals: W-Taylor Lewis 3, Kara Cezar; P-Mady Calhoun 2, Paige Haggerty.

Saves: W-Myra Wright 4; P-Sarah Bearint 7.