South Jersey Soccer Spotlight

Watching a soccer match at Recchino Field in Haddon Township is often like watching a pinball machine.

The multipurpose turf field is just 100 yards long, just 57 yards wide.

"Shots can come from anywhere - and they do," said Haddon Township goalie Scott LaPan, whose Hawks play their home games at Recchino. "It's tight. They're always in range for a shot. Anything up the corner, it's just close. As a goalie, it definitely keeps you in the game."

Despite playing most of his games on the tightest field in South Jersey, LaPan, a three-year varsity player, has been arguably the area's top keeper this season. He has allowed just 11 goals for the 14-1 Hawks, ranked No. 4 in South Jersey by The Inquirer.

At 6-foot-3, LaPan is a big, athletic presence. He's also generally the most vocal player on the field, directing traffic as the ball swiftly bounces from one end of his home pitch to the other.

"Scott is one of our captains, and he leads us on and off the field," Hawks coach Jim Bonder said. "He's just been outstanding this season."

Haddon Township's leading scorer, junior forward Kyler White, is also one of the region's top-rated goalkeepers. This is his first year playing high school soccer. He spent his first two high school seasons traveling on a high-level club circuit, including a stint as a goalie for the Philadelphia Union Academy.

But as a testament to LaPan's standing among his teammates, White never considered playing goalie for the Hawks this season. LaPan "earned that spot," said White, who is friends with LaPan.

The arrangement has worked out well for the team. The Hawks are set for a matchup with No. 1 Washington Township on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Coaches Tournament. Beyond that, this is clearly the top team Haddon Township has had since it won the Group 1 state title in 2011.

"As long as we can keep building, keep gaining momentum, we think we can do anything this year," LaPan said.

- Chris Melchiorre