Success in the Final Third

Varsity rolls over Wilson 4-0; Yoselin powers JV to victory from the PK spot
 
Both SJC teams ended the first week of classes with victories in their regular season openers against Woodrow Wilson H.S. on Thursday, September 2nd at Quinn Field.

Nia in action against WHS: 9/2/10

Alison S. swerves in a corner kick: 9/2/10

The varsity squad, dressed in scarlet from head to toe, opened the doubleheader on a hot and humid late summer afternoon. After a bustling warm up and pre-game chat with Head Coach Colin LENNON, the first XI set the tone early with sharper passing and movement in the middle third. Sophomore forward Nia opened the scoring in the 14th minute when she separated from her marker and calmly finished from 5 yards in front of the visitors' goal. This scoring chance was created after a series of passes that started in the Cadets' back third and worked their way through the Wilson midfield, thanks in part, to the vision and delivery of good service from Alison S. and Cat, who combined to set up Nia's first goal of the 2010 campaign.

SJC continued to pressure Wilson into giveaways across the pitch; one of which resulted in a 40-yard dash to goal by junior midfielder Maisey in the 21st minute. Maisey was played into the attacking half after a good series of combination passes from Shannon and Najla, who were a burden for the Wilson defenders throughout the day. Maisey easily outpaced her defender and slotted her shot past a helpless Wilson 'keeper to put SJC ahead by two goals.

In the 25th minute, Shannon tested the 'keeper from range with a 21-yard rocket that found nothing but net to increase the Cadets commanding lead to three. Wilson had little answer for the Cadets' attacking forays throughout the remainder of the first half as SJC 'keeper Kiersten was rarely tested on the day.

SJC found its fourth and final goal of the match off the powerful left foot of Shannon, who again befuddled the Wilson 'keeper with a dipping strike from 19 yards that caromed off the netminder and across the line in the 57th minute. Junior forward Najla was credited with the assist - her second of the contest.

Wilson's best scoring chance of the match came in the 60th minute when the Cadets turned the ball over in their own defensive third and were forced to foul one of Wilson's front runners as she attempted to penetrate the SJC back four. As Wilson lined up for the free kick from 21 yards, SJC's 'keeper Kiersten correctly positioned her wall and forced Wilson to rush a chance over and wide of the goal.

The Cadets return to action on Tuesday, September 7th as they host Bishop Ireton HS in their first WCAC match of the 2010 campaign. Kick off is slated for 4:00 pm at Quinn Field.

FINAL STATS

             SJC         WHS
Shots     11            4
Saves     3             6
CK         3             1
FK         4             1
Fouls     4             6

Cautions: None

Goals: Nia 14', Maisey 21', Shannon 25', 57'
Assists: Alison S. & Cat 14', Shannon & Najla 21', Cat & Maisey 25', Najla 57'
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SJC JV (1) - Wilson HS JV (0)
Quinn Field, 9/2/10

Yoselin turns and prepares to shoot as she is fouled: 9/2/10

In the night cap, the SJC junior varsity defeated Wilson, 1-0, on a penalty kick conversion by freshman Yoselin in the 25th minute. Yoselin was able to turn her defender on the left edge of the 18-yard box and accelerate past the Wilson defender, who was left with no choice but to foul the SJC attacker as she headed towards goal.

Yoselin celebrates her first career goal as a Cadet against Wilson

Congrats to the JV team for a wonderful team performance in their first regular season match of 2010!