Cadets Respond In Crab Country

SJC earns first WCAC win on the road against Ryken

The Saint John's Girls Soccer Teams travelled to St. Mary's County in southern Maryland on Thursday, September 9th for a WCAC double header fixture against the Knights of St. Mary's Ryken High School. 


Following a 12:30 early dismissal, the SJC caravan boarded a coach bus and made its way from northwest DC to crab and corn country for its second WCAC fixture of the season.


"I was apprehensive about how we would start the game following our performance against Bishop Ireton on Tuesday", said Head Coach Colin Lennon. "With that being said, the girls proved that they have the desire to compete at a high level day-in and day-out. This is a step in the right direction for our program."


SJC hit the ground running against a well-organized Knights team from minute one of the fixture. Central midfielders Shannon and Najla combined well throughout the match to dictate the pace of the match, and find the front pair of Nia and Liz C.


"Lizzy C. earned her first start of the season and played extremely well", Lennon said of the third-year player. "We had a number of players step up today and set the tone with their desire, energy and focus, which was very encouraging."


The Cadets found the net in the 40th minute when junior midfielder Demi received a ball on the left flank and immediately looked up to see junior forward Mary streaking at an angle towards the Knights' goal. With pressure on her left hip, Mary rode the first tackle and slipped a 9-yard shot with the outside of her right boot into the goal - her first of the year.


At halftime, Lennon challenged his team to play with composure in the middle third, particularly when they were able to dispossess the Knights in the run of play. SJC entered the half on Tuesday against Bishop Ireton tied at one, but conceded the game-winner late in the second half. 


"These were the type of mental mistakes we must corral and prevent", commented Lennon following the match. "I felt that our back four were holding us together in the first half, and we knew that St. Mary's was inclined to play direct in order to find the feet of their two front runners."


The second half turned out to be SJC's best 40 minutes of team soccer as they matched the Knights' intensity and forward play with competent defending, particularly from goalkeeper Kiersten G. and centre back Ally G.

SJC's JV team prepares to take the pitch - Photo: K White

With the win, SJC will turn its attention to the McDonogh Invitational this weekend in Owings Mills, Md. The Cadets play nationally-ranked Spalding HS on Friday at 5:00 pm and the winner of round robin play between McDonogh, Maryvale, O'Connell and Paul VI in other bracket play. All matches will be held at the McDonogh School.  

Gina looks for an outlet

In the JV match, SJC found itself down 1-0 in the first twenty minutes but responded with a goal from Sadie L. in the 35th minute. Ryken pressured the Cadets throughout the second half and forced the game-winner in the 6oth minute when their forwarded separated from her marker and finished from the six.

"We played well considering they were a direct team", said Angelo Granger, SJC's JV coach. "I thought our ladies stuck to the game plan and battled for 70 minutes."
VARSITY FINAL STATS


            SJC      STMR
Shots     9         11
Saves     10        5
CK         3          2
FK         3          2
Fouls     5          3
Offside  1          3


Goal:  Matecki (1) 40'
Assist: Demi T. (1)