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Boys' soccer: MacKinnon lifts Washington Twp. over Cherokee

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By Phil Anastasia

His team needed a big goal.

Derek MacKinnon supplied two of them.

MacKinnon scored two second-half goals to rally the Washington Township boys' soccer team to a 2-1 victory over visiting Cherokee on Monday in the semifinals of the South Jersey Group 4 tournament.

"I just happened to be the lucky one to be on the end of the goals," MacKinnon said. "My teammates did a great job of setting me up."

The victory advanced Washington Township (23-1), the No. 2 seed and No. 1 team in The Inquirer Top 10, to Thursday's sectional finals at home at 2 p.m. against fifth-seeded Toms River North.

Toms River North beat top-seeded Rancocas Valley 3-2 in overtime.

Washington Township beat Cherokee four times this season, including twice in Olympic American play as well as Saturday night in overtime in the championship game of the South Jersey Coaches Association tournament.

"They're the best team we play," MacKinnon said of Cherokee, the No. 3 seed and No. 2 team in the rankings. "Everybody on our team is absolutely exhausted."

Senior Danny Hampton scored on a penalty kick in the first half for Cherokee (19-4-1), which was undefeated this season but for four losses to Cherokee.

"I hope I'm looking at the state champions," Cherokee coach Glenn Thomsen said of Washington Township. "They are a great team. They deserve it."

MacKinnon, a St. Joseph recruit, tied the score at 1-1 early in the first half on a header off a serve by Mike Roscioli.

"That was a great goal, going up big on a header," Washington Township coach Shane Snyder said.

MacKinnon scored the game winner on a half-volley off a scramble in front of the Cherokee goal. Lou Vilotti and Burak Ozdemir created the pressure that led to the goal with 18 minutes, eight seconds remaining in the second half.

"My teammates set me up," MacKinnon said. "I just put it away."

Cherokee 1 0 -- 1

Washington Twp. 0 2 -- 2

Goals: C-Danny Hampton; WT-Derek MacKinnon 2.

Saves: C-Eamon McCarren 6; WT-Travis Yates 5.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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