Ayden Anderson winner brings Coaches Cup back to Washington Township

Ayden Anderson had heard the chatter about top seed Saint Augustine Prep and had the memory of missing a penalty when he was a sophomore burning in his mind when he stepped onto the field at DeCou Complex in Cherry Hill Saturday night determined to bring the South Jersey Coaches Cup back to Washington Township.

Anderson, a senior forward, did just that, scoring the golden goal in overtime off an assist from classmate Sean Tarsatana to capture Washington Township’s fourth Coaches Cup and first since 2017.

“Sophomore year I missed the penalty to lose this final,” Anderson said. “I told myself before overtime I was going to score the goal and we went out there and won.”

Anderson, who plays MLS Next for Real Futbol Academy, returned to play high school soccer again for his senior year in large part because of what he experienced on Saturday night with his teammates and classmates mobbing him on the field. Anderson’s goal also was the second big goal of the night for his family after his mom, head coach of Paul VI, had celebrated an overtime winner in the first game.

The strike, against Anderson’s club teammate – goalkeeper Matt Carr – broke a stalemate in a fierce defensive battle that looked like it was destined for penalty kicks.

“I’m still catching my breath, it’s been a whirlwind,” Minutemen head coach Ed McCusker said following the celebration. “I’m just so proud of the boys, especially in this game and everyone who came out to support. Everyone’s bought in, everyone’s locked in.”