PHOTO GALLERY: Rampone Gets Hero's Welcome At Home

They came with balls and shirts, pictures and posters and medals. They stood on tiptoe, they sat, and they waited. And then they cheered, for the hometown girl turned international star who along the way has charted a course for generations to come.

“It has been an amazing adventure,” Christie Rampone said as she addressed the crowd packed into the Kurr Atrium at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Tuesday afternoon.

Rampone, captain of the United States Women’s National Team, said the whirlwind since the team’s 5-2 victory over Japan in the World Cup final has been nothing short of stunning.

“Coming back to L.A., to New York for the parade, and then back to L.A. for the ESPYs was incredible,” she said. “But it doesn’t get better than to come home to all these familiar faces who have been with me all the way.”

Rampone received the red carpet treatment from Meridian Health (she is the spokesperson for their K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital), complete with balloons, confetti and special guests, including Acting Governor Kim Guadagno, Monmouth University athletic director Marilyn McNeil, New York GIants Hall of Famer Harry Carson, and Judy Goldstein, who had been Rampone’s coach way back in elementary school.

Jacquie Lee of Colts Neck, a finalist on “The Voice,” sang the national anthem. Monmouth County Freeholder Director Gary Rich, Deputy Director Serena DiMaso and Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone presented her with a proclamation congratulating her on winning the World Cup.

Guadagno and McNeil paid tribute to the path Rampone has carved for the coming generations.

Guadagno, who said she had great fun watching the World Cup with her husband and sons “because the conversation was all about girl power,” said Rampone has redefined roles for the next generation.

“Christie is breaking barriers for girls,” Guadagno said. “If you want to be the sheriff but you don’t have a 10-gallon hat, you can still be the sheriff. You can be whatever you dream of being,” she said, making reference to her own career, where she was the Monmouth County Sheriff before she was tapped to be Chris Christie’s running mate.

McNeil said Rampone and the women of the World Cup team were “cheered for what they accomplished and how beautiful their ability was on the field,” instead of their physical attributes.

“Gloria Steinem said the best way to cultivate fearlessness in our daughters is by example,” McNeil said. “You have been fearless. You have led the way.”

Rampone said McNeil was a guiding presence when she was faced with the decision of whether to try out for the U.S. women’s national team, which meant leaving her teammates on the basketball team behind.

“You inspired me to lead with passion,” McNeil said. “You are the best Hawk we’ve ever had.”

Goldstein, who watched then Christie Pearce grow from a shy fifth-grader to the star athlete who made the most of her natural abilities, said she loved watching Rampone learn how to navigate the stresses that came with being an athlete of the caliber that she was and still is.

“She knew an obstacle was just something to overcome,” Goldstein said. “She has become the woman she was meant to be.”

Carson said he understands how much being an athlete who wins a world championship can inspire others, because of his experience with the Giants winning the Super Bowl.

“What you have done on an international stage is inspire millions of fans,” Carson said.

“She has opened the door to believing,” Goldstein said.

All of the little girls -- and the big girls, too -- in the room would agree with that.

(Photo gallery by Karen Wall)