CADETS GET IT DUNN AGAINST PVI

Freshman Lizzy D. scores her first career goal to lead SJC to an important win at PVI

The St. John's College High Cadets took a big step forward on October 21st with a convincing 2-0 victory over Paul VI Catholic at Panther Field in WCAC action. [Match photos are available here - use "StJohn2010" as the password to access the photography of Ken White.]

Junior midfielder Shannon C. scored SJC's first goal in the 35th minute when she beat two Panther defenders and calmly deposited a left-footed blast over the goalkeeper from 10 yards. It was her fifth goal of the season and fourth point in four games since returning from injury.

Several members of the St. John's squad were inactive for the match due to injury and/or illness, namely Aly, Carli, Kayla, Joure, Maise, Nia and Sidi. Head Athletic Trainer Mike WALKER has been doing yeoman's work to get the players fit again for the last third of the season.

Despite the Cadets' first goal, Paul VI wouldn't let SJC walk away from the first half without several threatening chances of their own - mainly due to the play of forward Cali Enix who buzzed around the SJC back four of Colevas, Parks, Slark and Testa winning balls and challenging the defense to play forward from the back third. Enix found herself in various battles with Colveas and Parks throughout the contest - much of which resulted in the pair successfully denying one of the league's best attacking players from any real chance at goal.

SJC 'keeper Kirsten G. played yet another solid match between the posts as she recorded 12 saves throughout the contest while en route to her 9th shutout of the season. SJC received a scare in the 23rd minute when Kirsten appeared to be injured in a collision with one of PVI's front runners, but the junior 'keeper from Gaithersburg, Md. collected herself to turn in two, back-to-back stops off of close range strikes that preserved the one goal lead at the end of forty minutes.

In the second half, St. John's Head Coach Colin LENNON introduced freshman midfielder Lizzy D. at the top of a triangle midfield formation, and it paid off quickly as the goalkeeper-turned-field player orchestrated several attacks in PVI's defensive third with skillful passes and deft touches under pressure to maintain possession. She linked up well with fellow middies Amara, Becca, Lexi, Mimi, Najla and Shannon as well as forwards Mary M. and Lizzy C. Altogether, the Cadets held their shape and won a number of aerial attacks in the middle third that were key to stopping PVI's direct play in the last thirty minutes of the match.

After a barrage of SJC corner kicks (5-1), the Cadets produced a second goal from a series of passes in midfield that found the foot of Lizzy D., who looked up and saw the PVI 'keeper cheating off of her line. Without hesitation, she walloped a 23-yard bomb that swerved left then right before glancing off of the net minder's hands and into the goal. Junior forward Mary M. was credited with the assist - her second of the season - as Lizzy recorded her first career goal in scarlet and white.

Kudos to all of the St. John's players for a fantastic team effort against a disciplined Panther side. The effort, determination and focus earned praise from peers as well as the parents and coaching staff.

With the win, St. John's improves to 4-4-3 in league standings and 10-7-3 overall. The outcome of this fixture will be felt at the end of the season following the Cadets' four remaining fixtures against Holy Cross (10/26), Seton (10/29), O'Connell (11/2) and McNamara (11/5).

MATCH STATS

                 SJC      PVI
Goals        2          0
Shots        6          13
Saves       12         2
CK           5           1
FK           5           6
Offsides  0            2

SJC Goals: Collins 35', Dunn 61'
SJC Assist: Matecki

Cautions: None