The Boys soccer team entered Wednesday’s game with Washington Township on a three-game losing streak and in jeopardy of failing to qualify for the playoffs.  Those three losses came at the hands of Timbercreek, Lenape, and Eastern, and dropped the team’s record from 5-5 to 5-8. Another one of the losses this year came on the road against the same Washington Township team that rolled into Cherry Hill today for a rematch.

The Cougars were able to get out in front early in this one as Gary Lindgren (’12) put one in the back of the net in the 9^th minute.  This goal seemed to help the team relax which wasn’t a surprise considering it’s been a while since they’ve played with a lead.  While both teams had chances to score throughout the half, it wasn’t until the 39^th minute until we saw another goal.

Washington Township tied the game at this juncture, however this wasn’t it for the scoring chances in the first half.  A Washington Township hand ball in the penalty area gave Andrew Adler (’13) a look at a penalty kick at the end of the half.  Adler was unable to convert and the score remained tied at 1 heading into the half.

Early on in the 2^nd half, Washington Township took the lead off of a corner kick in the 54^th minute.  It didn’t take long for East to get things back on even terms as Lindgren netted his 2^nd in the 58^th.  Despite already having found the back of the net twice, Lindgren was there for the team yet again in the 65^th minute notching a hat trick and propelling East to a 3-2 lead.

Goalkeeper Ben Wirtshaster (’12) did the job in net stopping everything that came his way from this point on.  A crucial win stops the bleeding for the Cougars and puts them closer to a playoff spot.  Shawnee pays a visit tomorrow afternoon.