Back from the World Cup, Sullivan Leads Rumson-Fair Haven Past Manasquan

RUMSON — After spending the past several weeks representing the United States on the international stage, Jordyn Sullivan returned to Rumson-Fair Haven with unfinished business.

The senior captain made an immediate impact in her return from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, scoring the opening goal as eighth-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven defeated ninth-seeded Manasquan, 2-0, in the first round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 2 girls soccer tournament.

The victory sends the Bulldogs into the sectional quarterfinals, where they will travel to face top-seeded Metuchen on Friday. Metuchen advanced with a 3-1 victory over Matawan in its opening-round matchup.

For Sullivan, who missed eight games while competing with the U.S. national team, returning to her high school teammates for a postseason run has been something she anticipated throughout her time overseas.

“I think everything happens for a reason and me being back here, I think it was kind of destined to win the state,” Sullivan said. “I think the mentality of the team is different this year. We are really excited and coming for it all.”

While Sullivan’s return provided an obvious boost, Rumson-Fair Haven’s performance also reflected the growth the Bulldogs experienced during her absence. Forced to adjust without their most accomplished player, the Bulldogs developed a more balanced attack and gained valuable experience against some of the Shore Conference’s strongest competition.

That progress was evident from the opening whistle.

With Sullivan starting the game on the bench, Rumson-Fair Haven immediately established an attacking presence. Just three minutes into the contest, the Bulldogs generated a dangerous scoring opportunity that Manasquan goalkeeper Madeline Petrulla turned over the crossbar.

Rather than relying on Sullivan to create opportunities individually, the Bulldogs showed an increased willingness to move the ball through the midfield, attack from the outside, and create scoring chances with crosses into the penalty area.

“We used to watch Jordyn (Sullivan) just dribble around because she is so good,” junior Lily Halpern said. “When she was gone we learned that we needed to play through the middle and through the outsides. Coach (Herkimer) was saying before the game, the games we get the most crosses in are the games that we win. We knew that we needed to get more crosses and we worked on that while Jordyn was gone. Now that she is back, she can finish them and other people can finish them.”

Sullivan entered the game in the 12th minute and eventually provided the breakthrough in the 30th minute. Working inside the penalty area, she unleashed a shot that struck the crossbar before bouncing down and into the net, giving Rumson-Fair Haven a 1-0 advantage.

Her return was about more than adding another scoring threat. Despite competing on one of the biggest stages in youth international soccer, Sullivan remained closely connected to her high school teammates and their pursuit of a sectional championship.

“She (Sullivan) is at the World Cup, representing the USA, and every single email is, ‘I can’t wait for states,’ Rumson head coach Jeff Herkimer said. “She was texting with the girls all along, and she could not wait to come back to this team. You do not get that from many kids, which is very special.”

With the lead secured, Rumson-Fair Haven continued to dictate the tempo, controlling possession and repeatedly pushing the ball into Manasquan’s defensive third.

Halpern was instrumental in that effort, providing a steady presence in the midfield and helping the Bulldogs sustain their attacking pressure.

A defender by trade, Halpern played outside back for Rumson-Fair Haven last season and occupies the same position for her club team. She began this season on the back line, but a shift into the midfield has given the Bulldogs greater control in possession and improved their ability to connect the defense with the attack.

“We have been starting her (Halpern) at outside back and then during the game we have been moving her up to midfield,” Herkimer said. “I talked to my assistant coaches, and we found we have had the most success when she is at midfield. Now that we have had some of the JV and younger players step up, we are able to have more pieces and move her to midfield, which you can see really helped us out today.”

Rumson-Fair Haven carried its momentum into the second half, creating two early scoring opportunities but failing to extend its lead.

Sullivan nearly doubled the advantage when she broke through the Manasquan defense for a one-on-one opportunity, but Petrulla came off her line to break up the chance and keep the Warriors within striking distance.

Manasquan eventually began to generate some attacking pressure of its own, putting the Bulldogs on the defensive for a stretch midway through the half.

Rumson-Fair Haven responded in the 63rd minute with a goal that showcased both its improved attacking balance and the contributions of its younger players.

Freshman Charlotte McLaughlin used her speed and footwork to advance down the sideline before delivering a cross into the penalty area. Junior Cooper Memmott finished the opportunity to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 2-0 and provide some much-needed breathing room.

For Halpern, the sequence illustrated the importance of the team’s developing depth, particularly as the Bulldogs prepare for the challenges of the state tournament.

“The second Charlotte stepped onto the field for the first time she showed she is going to be the future of the program,” Halpern said. “I think having a freshman is going to show the younger kids that they can contribute even if they’re not the oldest on the field. Having that and having the depth on the bench is a really good thing for the team.”

The two-goal cushion was more than enough for Rumson-Fair Haven, which completed the shutout and advanced to play the top seed.

Metuchen represents another significant test for a Bulldogs team that has already demonstrated its ability to compete through adversity. After navigating a demanding stretch of its schedule without Sullivan, Rumson-Fair Haven now enters the next round with its captain back in the lineup and a supporting cast that has grown increasingly confident in its own abilities.

Sullivan believes that development could ultimately prove just as valuable as her return.

“I think the team found out they didn’t need me and a bunch of players stepped up,” Sullivan said. “I think a lot of the girls realized that they didn’t need me to excel as they are. We are a good team with or without me. I think it showed the character of us that runs much deeper than a one man show. We are a hard-working gritty team and our one goal here is to win states.”