In total, the senior forward netted four goals, including the equalizer and the winner - making the pain he felt all worthwhile.
"I have to do what I have to do," said Colofranson, who has 22 goals in just eight games for the undefeated Gators. "I look for these moments."
The game was a battle between the top teams in the Colonial Conference Patriot Division. Both came in undefeated. And while it was largely expected to be a defensive battle, two quick goals by Haddon Township (6-1) in the first four minutes all but erased that notion.
"It was a wild game," said Gateway coach Steve Pasquarello, whose team overcame a 4-1, first-half deficit. "But it's a small field, it's packed in, and they jumped on us early. But we kept our poise and played great."
Colofranson was the sparkplug, keeping Gateway in the game every time it looked as if the Hawks would pull away.
After Haddon Township took the early 2-0 lead, Colofranson raced down the field past the man tasked with covering him before crossing a shot that banked in off the far post.
Midway through the second half, a handball resulted in a made penalty kick for Haddon Township, giving the Hawks a 5-3 lead.
But Colofranson again took matters into his own hands. With 8:46 left in the second half, he again outran a defender and again netted an open look.
Four minutes later, Colofranson was tripped in the box and made a penalty shot of his own, sending the game into overtime.
And in the fourth minute of overtime, Colofranson set up for a free kick from 30 yards. The senior sent a laser directly into the wall of four players in front of him. The ball ricocheted off a defender and sailed into the net.
"He really stepped up," Paquarello said of his star player. "He fought for his team."
Haddon Township wasn't hanging its head after the game and is already looking forward to a rematch with Gateway on Oct. 17.
"We just had a big-time breakdown in the second half," Haddon Township coach Jim Bonder said. "But I thought Gateway played hard and they certainly did enough to win."
Gateway 2 3 1 – 6
Haddon Township 4 1 0 – 5
Goals: G-Anthony Colofranson 4, Tim Bailey, Nick Lamb; HT-Zack Curl 2, Pat Burns, Kevin Kasilowski, Mike McCutcheon.
Saves: G-Matt Spissell 6; HT-Brendan Anderson 6.
Contact Chris Melchiorre at rallysports@phillynews.com.
