Haddon Township edges Shore Regional in state soccer semifinal

In one sense, Jake Mulroy was the wrong man for the job.

"That's not what I do," Mulroy said of scoring winning goals in the state semifinals or in any other match for the Haddon Township boys' soccer team.

In another sense, Mulroy was right for the moment.

He's a senior. He's a team leader. He's a key part of a deep, talented, and experienced squad that has set its sights on a state title since the summer.

"We talked about that," Haddon Township coach Jim Bonder said after his team's 1-0 victory over Shore Regional in the Group 1 state semifinals Wednesday night at Eastern. "We said, 'Seniors, this is your time. Play with confidence. Have no regrets.' "

Mulroy made the most of a rare opportunity, blasting a 20-yard shot into the back of the net with 13 minutes, 22 seconds remaining on a frigid night.

"It feels amazing," Mulroy said after Haddon Township (22-2) advanced to face Harrison in the state championship Sunday at 3 p.m. at Kean University.

Haddon Township sophomore goalie Kieran Burns made eight saves, including a couple of sensational stops in the first half.

Burns made a diving save on a hard shot by Shore's Dante Montesinos with just 20 seconds remaining in the first half.

"Kieran is an outstanding keeper," Bonder said. "He plays well beyond his years."

Haddon Township generated several scoring chances in the second half, with senior Mario Mandescu and junior Bah Moo both on the brink of a breakthrough goal.

The game-winner came on a play that started with Moo's throw-in to the box. A Shore defender cleared the ball, but it went straight to Mulroy just beyond the 18-yard line.

"I was unmarked, and I was thinking: 'What if it comes to me?' " Mulroy said. "I didn't think twice."

Mulroy one-timed the shot into the upper right side of the net.

"He ripped it," Mandescu said.

Bonder said of Mulroy as the goal-scoring hero: "Completely unlikely. He would be the last one to write that in his book. But he's a senior captain, our leader, and he was the one to do something great."

Haddon Township 0 1 - 1

Shore Regional 0 0 - 0

Goal: HT-Jake Mulroy.

Saves: HT-Kieran Burns, 8; S-Evan Coffey 6.