Soccer superstar Carli Lloyd first fell in love with her sport as a young girl playing on rec teams in her South Jersey hometown. So it was fitting that she returned to Delran to celebrate her retirement from professional soccer.

And what a party it was – “the biggest Delran has ever thrown,” says Delran Mayor Gary Catrambone. Hundreds of people, including Carli’s many young fans, gathered in Delran Community Park on Oct. 14 – designated as Carli Lloyd Day by the Burlington County Board of Commissioners – for music, food trucks and fireworks. Tributes to the 2-time Olympic gold medalist and highest-scoring midfielder in U.S. history came from near and far, including Philadelphia sports teams, who praised Lloyd for her trailblazing career, grit and work ethic. The event was capped off by the dedication of Carli Lloyd Field at Delran Community Park.