The St. John's College High School Cadets played to a scoreless draw with the visiting Mustangs of Bishop McNamara in a WCAC fixture held on an overcast, autumn afternoon at Quinn Field.
SJC opened the first half in a 4-5-1 with Jamaican forward Sidi G. at the tip of the Cadets' attacking pyramid. Sidi was the subject of several photographers' interest throughout the match as she is being profiled by The Washington Post as part of a story inside the life of a high school exchange student.
The Cadets raced onto the pitch following a spirited warm up session and went at the Mustangs from minute one of the league match. McNamara held its ground throughout the first half despite being outshot by the Cadets 5-1. The Mustangs only chance of the half came in the 38th minute when they picked up a loose ball inside the SJC penalty box and hustled a shot wide of 'keeper Kirsten G (3 saves).
The Cadets raced onto the pitch following a spirited warm up session and went at the Mustangs from minute one of the league match. McNamara held its ground throughout the first half despite being outshot by the Cadets 5-1. The Mustangs only chance of the half came in the 38th minute when they picked up a loose ball inside the SJC penalty box and hustled a shot wide of 'keeper Kirsten G (3 saves).
Junior midfielders Carli T. and Najla M. led the attack with two, first-half strikes while Lexi, Becca, Lizzy and Mimi ran up and down the flanks. The SJC defense was dominant once again, thanks in part, to the leadership of juniors Ally G. and Morgan T., along with sophomores Kat O. and Lis P.
At halftime, Head Coach Colin LENNON stressed the importance of team defending and maintaining a compact posture in order to pressure the Mustangs into turnovers.
"I felt that we were still a bit slow in pressuring them across the pitch", said Lennon. "This is a mindset that we're working to change, particularly now that we're into the second half of the season and every match is a chance to build momentum towards the playoffs."
For the remaining forty minutes of action, SJC tussled for loose balls on the flanks and in the air, most of which Lis, Ally, Morgan and Najla won with conviction. The Cadets adopted a more aggressive style of play in the final 15 minutes with more players committing to the attacking third. Chance after chance, the Cadets pushed McNamara deep into their defensive third and almost found the winner when midfielder Becca V. fired a shot low and to the left of the Mustangs' netminder from 8 yards out. Najla and Ally also had scoring chances late in the half that were just off the mark.
"We battled to the end and I'm proud of that effort from the ladies", commented Lennon following the match. "We showed resolve and determination in the last 20 minutes of the match, and I felt we were a tad unlucky not to snare the winner."
"We battled to the end and I'm proud of that effort from the ladies", commented Lennon following the match. "We showed resolve and determination in the last 20 minutes of the match, and I felt we were a tad unlucky not to snare the winner."
With two days to prepare for Bishop Ireton on Friday, the Cadets will get back on the training ground and welcome back to the corps several players who have been on the injury list.
The SJC SPIRIT CARAVAN will motor its way over to Alexandria, Va., for a 4PM kickoff against Ireton, who currently sit in third place in the WCAC table.
FINAL STATS
SJC MCN
Shots 11 4
Saves 3 7
CK 3 1
FK 4 1
Cautions - -
