VIDEO, PHOTOS: Hirsch, Middle break through late for 3-0 win over rival LCM

Posted: October 29th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

ERMA – A resolute defensive effort by the Lower Cape May Regional High School boys soccer team had some thinking the Tigers could somehow muster a surprising result against rival Middle Township Tuesday afternoon. 

But despite excellent work by goalkeeper Ryan Gibson, center back Johnny Montgomery and rest of the Lower Cape May players, Middle Township’s talent and depth eventually won out as the Panthers scored all of their goals in the final 26 minutes to secure a 3-0 victory.

Middle (11-7-1), with a bit of a makeshift lineup partly due to some injuries and illnesses, finally broke through for the opener after 54 minutes when Eddie Hirsch used his left foot to slot a cross from Josiel Lopez inside the right post. The goal was a just reward for Hirsch, who only moments earlier had struck the crossbar on a wonderful effort from 12 yards.

Hirsch bagged his second a few minutes later, chipping the ball across the goal line after Colin Jastremski’s attempt following another Lopez cross was snuffed out by a sprawling Gibson.

Jastremski rounded out the scoring by easily blasting into goal after finding himself alone behind the defense just 10 yards from goal following Logan Seger’s pass.

Nova Simon, subbing for Miles Stafford, needed to make just two saves to post the shutout in goal, the team’s ninth of the season.

Gibson stopped 13 shots for Lower Cape May (5-13-2).