FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - Paul VI conquered an old foe to reach new heights.
The Eagles soared to their first state title in girls soccer by defeating Immaculate Heart, 1-0, in the Non-Public A final Wednesday on an overtime goal by junior Emma McCarthy.
McCarthy completed what she dubbed the "Revenge Tour" by knocking in a cross from Daniela Vogel with 1:11 left in OT.
This was only the Eagles' second trip to the title game and both have come against IHA. The last one was two years ago when the Blue Eagles stormed back to beat the Haddonfield school on a Golden Goal of their own.
This time, it was Paul VI's turn to celebrate after a third straight one-goal win.
"I always told them that good teams will always manage and find ways to win the game when the moments count," coach Karen Anderson said. "We were knocking. I just told them it just has to be one moment of greatness. That's exactly what it was."
What it means
Paul VI is bringing a state title to Haddonfield after starting the season outside the state rankings and finishing with only one playoff victory in 2023. At 20-2-1, the Eagles nearly doubled their win total from last fall.
"We have really great veteran leaders who were here in this game before," McCarthy said. "Our seniors have built this program from the ground up. And we have a super strong sophomore class that came in and made an immediate impact."
Five sophomores started in the final, including the two leading scorers behind McCarthy: forward Camryn Koerner and midfielder Hunter Kintzing. Sophomore goalie Chloe Krupa wasn't tested often in the final, but she came up with a signature moment late in overtime. Krupa made a diving save low to her right side to keep the match alive.
"All season long she's been coming up big for us," Anderson said. "She deserved that moment right there for her because she's a phenomenal keeper."
Moment of magic
Paul VI had all the momentum in the second half but couldn't capitalize with IHA goalie and Seton Hall commit Grace Dalessandro (12 saves) putting up a determined effort in her final high school match.
But in overtime, McCarthy was able to poke one into the top half of the net after settling a ball that bounced once in the box.
"It's incredible," McCarthy said. "Danny Vogel had a bunch of services that game. I was playing defensive mid. I made a run and it landed on my foot. Just to finish that was awesome."
While Vogle came over from GCIT this season, the Miami commit said she played with McCarthy back when they were 8 or 9.
"I was super happy for our whole team that all the work we put in the whole season paid off and we got what we deserved," Vogel said.