Middletown South’s Varsity Girls Soccer team has had an amazing start to their Shore Conference Tournament. The girls beat Lacey Township in their first match of the tournament and soon advanced to the quarterfinals where they would face tough competition: Freehold Township. Freehold Township is seeded as second place in the entire conference and had beat Middletown South earlier in the season 3-0. It was going to be a challenging game to play.

The match was to take place on October 14th, on Freehold’s home turf. Hope hung in the air before the match began; both teams believed that they could rise to the top. This game was essential to both teams and their success in the tournament, as it was a one-loss elimination. The whistle sounded to start the match. 

The first goal came halfway through the first half: Junior Natalie Percello scored an unstoppable goal from 30 yards out. Electricity exploded from the field to the stands. The goal was assisted by sophomore Kaleigh Kapler. Spectators buzzed with positive energy, filling the Middletown South girls with a newfound confidence. 

“It was an unbelievable feeling. To have shared this excitement with the team was a great moment!” Percello expressed. 

The second goal occurred early in the second half. Again, Natalie Percello scored to bring the Eagles to a 2-0 lead. Sophomore Bea Tinoco offered the assist. 

“It still does not feel real to be honest…It is definitely one of the accomplishments I am most proud of in my athletic career,” Percello continued. 

Now was the most important time in the game. Our girls could not get too comfortable; Freehold Township was taking full advantage of their attacking line and pressuring senior Allie Greco, who made eight amazing saves that night. The tension continued as the Freehold girls scored with twenty-eight minutes to go. Could the Eagles withstand this challenge? 

“Seconds felt like minutes, and minutes felt like hours,” reflected goalie Allie Greco.

Eventually, the game ended in a victory for Middletown Girls Soccer. Their strong line of defense was vital in the win. This upset is history for Middletown Girls Soccer. It is a memory that these players have emphasized they will never forget.