Girls Soccer – Troutman Rallies Indians to SJ 3 Title

By Liz Matakevich
Shore Sports Network Contributor

TOMS RIVER - Toms River South junior forward Taylor Troutman has come up huge for her team all year with a team-high 27 goals prior to Thursday, but none of those had as much significance as her goal to tie Thursday’s NJSIAA South Jersey Group III final against Central Regional.

Troutman’s 28th goal of the season pulled the Indians even in the 55th minute and the junior set up the winning goal by freshman Katie Hammack in the 72nd minute to lead Toms River South to a 2-1, comeback victory over Central. The victory gives Toms River South its first sectional championship since its back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002. Toms River South will move on to play in the Group III semifinals against Central Jersey champion Somerville, which defeated Wall in penalty kicks.

“We were talking before the game about being undefeated and wanting to stay that way on our home field,” Toms River South head coach John Crowley said. “To win and get a sectional title is not easy to do, so this feels awesome. It’s a great feeling.”

With her team down a goal in the second half, Troutman charged through a Central defender on the left side of the net in the 55th minute and blasted a shot that flew past Central goalkeeper Lindsey Mahnkin into the top right corner of the net to tie the game, 1-1.

“I wanted everyone to step up behind me and start playing our game because we let down for a little while after Central scored,” Troutman said. “I’ve been wanting this since my freshman year so it felt really great to score here.”

“Taylor is in on everything, and she is a big-time player,” coach Crowley said. “We expect this of her and everyone looks to her to take charge so once she got that goal for us I think everyone was able to calm down a little bit.”

The Indians continued to put pressure on their opponent’s net, looking for a weak link in the Golden Eagles' defense.

Freshman Katie Hammack got her opportunity in the 72nd minute when she made her way in front of the net to receive a pass from Troutman. Hammack launched a ground shot into the left corner to give the Indians a 2-1 lead.

“It felt amazing to get the go-ahead goal for my team,” Hammack said. “We haven’t had a title in over 10 years so it felt great to score for my team. It’s just unbelievable.”

Defender Delaney Savacool made a huge stop to preserve the Indians’ 2-1 lead in the 74th minute as Central’s Erin Trapp found herself in front of the net with only Toms River South freshman goalie Taylor Dean standing between her and a late equalizer. As Trapp cranked her leg back to get a shot off, Savacool ran up and blocked the shot from behind to stop the Golden Eagles’ last big chance to tie it.

Central struck first in the 46th minute, taking advantage of back-to-back corner kicks. The first corner by Elizabeth Kroon was knocked out of bounds by Dean, giving the Golden Eagles a second chance.

Kroon’s second corner made landfall right in front of the net where powerhouse forward Amanda Carolan was waiting as she punched it into the back of the net to give Central a 1-0 lead.

Carolan’s sectional final score caps a junior season in which the she scored 36 goals and 15 assists. During the South Jersey Group III playoffs, she scored nine goals in four games, including consecutive hat tricks in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Toms River South had 12 shots on net to Central’s seven. Dean had four saves for the Indians, while Mahnkin made nine saves.

“We knew this was going to be one of our toughest games this season,” Troutman said. “We’ve been looking to play them all season so it feels awesome to get the win to take the title.”

“We are looking to take this all the way in states,” Hammack added.

Box Score

Toms River South 2, Central 1

Goals (Assists): (C) Carolan (Kroon) 46’; (TRS) Troutman 55’, Hammack (Troutman) 72’
Shots: Toms River South, 12-7
Saves: (C) Mahnkin 9; (TRS) Dean 4