Jamison Delivers Late as Middletown South Edges Middletown North

MIDDLETOWN — It was everything you would expect from a crosstown rivalry game. Two teams left it all on the field, battling for bragging rights in Middletown.

Neither side could gain a clear advantage until the final minute, when senior Hayley Jamison charged toward the goal and found the back of the net off a corner kick from sophomore Delaney Finnegan, lifting Middletown South to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Middletown North.

“These games, especially the Midd North/South rivalry, becomes a very emotional game,” Middletown South head coach Megan Barry said. “I talked to them before. We had a game plan. We had to stick to the game plan and stay calm and composed. We cannot get pulled into whatever the opponent’s plan is and we have to put the goals and opportunities away.”

Jamison scored the game’s first goal in the 28th minute to put the Eagles up 1-0.  Junior Lili Iasparro used her footwork to get down the field on the outside and sent a cross into the box for Jamison to finish. Iasparro was putting pressure on the Lions’ outside backs throughout the first half. 

“We can’t always get perfect shots, and all the defenses we have played against have been pretty strong,” Jamison said. “We know how to settle and find the back of the net no matter what. We lost Bea (Tinoco) last year, and she was a huge goal scorer, but every single person is stepping up and doing their jobs.”

Jamison was the hero on the offensive side of the field with two goals, but junior goalie Julianna Fiore might have been the hero of the game in goal for Middletown South, making big save after big save throughout the game.

Fiore was tested right out of the gate, making a save on Middletown North senior Sofia Chaknis’ free kick from just outside the box in the second minute of play. She came up with another save in the 19th minute, stopping a shot from senior Ava Cordoma after Chaknis sent a cross into the box.

“I was just trying to keep everyone together and keep everyone in a positive mindset,” Fiore said. “Keeping everything clean in the back is the most important part. Controlling the back line is the biggest thing that you can do as a goalkeeper.”

The biggest save came in the 50th minute on a free kick from Chaknis. After a foul was called just outside the 18-yard box and a yellow card was issued for delay of game, Fiore came up with a huge save, getting a hand on Chaknis’ hard shot and deflecting it over the crossbar.

“I just envision myself making the save and getting big and meeting the ball so it does not go in,” Fiore said. “I get the wall set up and have everyone in the mentality of getting the ball, getting it out, and preventing any rebounds.”

Fiore has been strong this season after missing most of last season because of an injury. As a freshman, she was named to the SSI All-Freshman Team in 2024. She was tested frequently against Middletown North, finishing with a season-high 13 saves.

“That save was incredible,” Barry said. “I am very proud of her for batting back from injury. She is still dealing with the injury, and she is playing through it, which the team is very grateful for. It is taking a lot of prep work and recovery work, but it is not just her ability in the net. It’s her confidence, which is essential for the backline.”

Middletown North was able to get the equalizer with 26:24 left to play in the game. Chaknis scored her 10th goal of the season after getting a pass from Cordoma and beating the Eagles defender.

“We are really proud of ourselves,” Jamison said. “Our team is really good at facing adversity and coming back even stronger from it. We were up 1-0, and they tied it, but we always stayed calm. No matter the big north or south rival.”

The Eagles have several new faces out on the field this season, and it took a couple of weeks to find their chemistry. After a tough 2-1 loss to rival Freehold Township and a 4-2 loss to No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven, Middletown South won back-to-back 2-1 games over No. 8 Manasquan and Middletown North.

Every player for Middletown South made an impact in ways that don’t always show up on the stat sheet. Fiore came up with big saves, while defenders Sophie Malvica, Addison Scarinzi and Delaney Finnegan made life difficult for the Lions’ forwards. Ivy Burtnick battled for possession and earned the Eagles a corner kick that ultimately led to the game-winning goal. Even players on the bench that did not see any time played a part in the win.

“That was the message after that game,” Barry said. “This is a team effort no matter what. Even the players on the sidelines mattered today. They were giving us so much energy. Everyone needs to be flexible,, and everyone needs to help each other, whether we are going forward or on defense. I feel like they are really embracing that, and I think the Township loss was a learning experience for us.”