Herrelle enjoying final season in goal
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
Like any senior, Jordan Herrelle wants his final year of high school soccer to be his best.
There’s a special motivation for the Northern Burlington High goalkeeper and his classmates, who want to turn things around for the Greyhounds.
”Especially for our senior class, we as a program haven’t been good the past couple years,” Herrelle said. “We wanted to change that. We just needed to get some wins in there.”
Herrelle is a big part of helping the Greyhounds get their wish. He made six saves for his second straight shutout as Northern Burlington topped Holy Cross, 1-0, Monday behind Ryan Walsh’s goal from Dave Cohen with 16 minutes to play.
”I thought we were dominating,” Herrelle said. “They had their chances. After we got that goal, I felt confident we were going to win. We hadn’t beaten them in a couple years. I was pretty excited.”
It was a big win on a couple of counts for the Greyhounds. It pushed them to 3-1-1 this season, and the three wins enabled them to tie already their win total in each of the two previous seasons. That fact wasn’t lost on them after Monday’s win.
”I think we’re playing more as a team this year,” Herrelle said. “Everyone is putting their work in.”
The Greyhounds are getting contributions from young and old, and they’ve proven they can succeed in a number of different game styles. They haven’t lost since dropping the opener to Trenton, 2-1. They took a one-goal win over Hammonton, handily disposed of Maple Shade, then were forced into a scoreless tie with Rancocas Valley due to a storm that cancelled the second half of play. They aren’t resting on their early success.
”We’re trying to keep up the intensity,” Herrelle said. “We definitely want to make playoffs. We were upset we didn’t make it last year. We’re just trying to keep it up.”
Northern Burlington was scheduled to play Moorestown on Wednesday, then plays at Burlington Township on Friday. The Greyhounds continue to look for contributions from all parts of the field. Herrelle can see plenty of differences around the field. They Greyhounds are scoring goals, with the storm-shortened half the only game in which they have not scored.
”Our strikers, they’re playing the ball in the midfield better,” Herrelle said. “It’s not just one person. They’re using everyone.”
The Greyhounds have freed Reece Cooke up from the back to be a stronger presence in the midfield with Walsh. And the defense has not allowed more than one goal in any game since the opener.
”Our center backs are helping us out,” Herrelle said. “Ian Traver and Harvey Singh, they help me out a lot picking up scrap balls. They work hard.”
Herrelle, too, feels different in goal. It’s his second full season, though he also made several starts as a sophomore.
”I’m pretty much not trying to let anything in,” Herrelle said. “I’m sacrificing my body so we can win. Last year, I was a little sketchy. Now I’m more confident and I need to help my team.”
His strong presence in the back has helped strengthen Northern Burlington, and helped him be a natural leader as the goalie.
”There’s a lot of seniors,” Herrelle said. “Even though you may not be one of the captains, you still take a role and step up.
”We have a good range of kids, sophomores and juniors and seniors,” he added. “They all work hard. Everybody does their fair share.”
The Greyhounds have come together quickly. They have produced wins at a faster rate than any Northern Burlington boys soccer squad in the last four years. And it’s only a start in what Herrelle and his senior classmates hope will be a big finish to their careers.
”It definitely boosts our morale,” Herrelle said. “We already tied with our last two years’ records. We’re doing a lot better than in past years.”

