JACKSON TWP. - If the players on the Toms River North girls soccer team had any intention of winning the Shore Conference Class A South championship, it was a near imperative that they had to find a way to score a goal Thursday against Jackson Memorial.

As the minutes disappeared and the game remained scoreless, the Mariners chances mounted. With five minutes left, they finally broke through.

Toms River North senior Melissa Wilhelm. (Photo by Paula Lopez)
Toms River North senior Melissa Wilhelm. (Photo by Paula Lopez)
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Junior Maddy Bennert positioned herself in the box and knocked a bouncing ball into the goal in the 75th minute to break a scoreless deadlock and lift Toms River North (10-1, 10-1) to a crucial 1-0 win over the Jaguars.

The result was Jackson Memorial's first loss in Class A South play and pulled the Mariners even in the loss column of the standings with four divisional games left to play for Toms River North and three for the Jaguars.

Jackson Memorial won the first meeting between the teams by a 2-1 score back on Sept. 15.

 

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