By Jim Hintelmann
RUMSON – “On any given day, anything can happen,” said Rumson girls soccer coach Mary Beth Coleman.
The NJSIAA defending state Group II champions were stunned by Delaware Valley (5-12-1) in penalty kicks 4-3 to break a 1-1 tie in the first round of the CJ Group II playoffs. Five players from each team were chosen to take the shots.
“It’s just so disappointing to lose a shootout in the first round of the state tournament,” she said. The two teams played a pair of 10-minute periods following regulation time but neither got close to scoring.
“We just couldn’t get it done,” said Coleman.
Delaware Valley’s Sarah Cunningham broke a 3-3 tie in the shootout to give her team the win.
Rumson (15-7) expected to make a run at another state title this year with a veteran team coming back, but it wasn’t meant to be.
–Photo by Sean Simmons
Rumson got off to a quick start in the game when Grace Forsyth knocked in a rebound off a corner kick for 1-0 lead at 1:12 in the first half. Forsyth’s goal was assisted by Margot Ridgeway.
Delaware Valley tied the game at 33:28 in the first half when Kathryn Ziegler got free on a breakaway and kicked the ball past Rumson-Fair Haven goalie Samantha Beaudreault.
Both teams had other scoring chances but Beaudreault and Delaware Valley goalie Evangeline Soucie each came up with several nice stops.
Rumson’s Janie DeVito had two chances later in the game, but both shots went wide left.
