Knights End Cadets Winning Streak

Cadets' unbeaten streak snapped at four with 2-0 loss at O'Connell

You win some and you lose some. That philosophy hasn't been a part of the Cadets' training sessions or matches in the past two weeks, particularly with the Cadets riding a four-game unbeaten streak heading into today's WCAC fixture at Bishop O'Connell High in Arlington, VA.

SJC netminder Kirsten G. has been stellar between the posts in her last four appearances. She has posted a 2-0-2 record combined with a save percentage of 89% and three shutouts in 320 minutes of action. Her reflexes and strength in the box has led the Cadets back to normalcy and instilled confidence in her teammates.

For 75 minutes, St. John's played an even cat-and-mouse game of attacking soccer with O'Connell, currently the 6th ranked team in last week's Washington Post rankings. The teetering of chances favored the home team, although St. John's dominated stretches of possession in both halves, and earned seven direct kicks off of fouls whistled by the referee. O'Connell was inclined to send balls forward to their athletic duo of Morgan Reuther and Caroline Leary, and look for second and third runners off the ball once into the SJC defensive third.

The back four of Olevas, Parks, Slark and Testa kept SJC out of danger for the majority of the match until a poor clearance attempt in the 75th minute allowed Leary to get past Parks and slot an 8-yard shot under an oncoming Kirsten G. to give the Knights a 1-0 lead. The goal came against the run of play and was the first goal that SJC had conceeded in this phase of play since a 3-0 away loss to Elizabeth Seton on September 29th.

"We had a point in our hands and let it slip away in the last five minutes of the match", commented Head Coach Colin Lennon after the game. "To come away with a tie against a team like O'Connell on their home field would have been huge, but we'll review the breakdowns tomorrow in training, correct the errors and get ready for PVI on Thursday."

O'Connell earned a second goal in the waning seconds of the match as SJC's Alison S. was whistled for a questionable foul against Reuther in the penalty area. Emma Price quickly dispatched the penalty to give the Knights a 2-0 lead before the center official blew for time.

SJC midfielders Becca, Carli (limited action), Najla and Nia did not participate in today's match due to injury. Junior defender Aly G. remains out indefinitely as she recovers from a torn muscle in her right leg. We wish all players a safe, swift and healthy recovery.

The Cadets return to league action on Thursday as they travel to Fairfax, Va., for a 6:45 PM match against Paul VI High School. The Panthers are 2-1 in their last three matches with wins at St. Mary's Ryken and home against Bishop Ireton.

MATCH STATS

               SJC   OCN
Shots       2       12
Saves      9        1
CK          1        1
FK          7        3
Offsides  0        2
Fouls       4        11

OCN Goals: Leary 75', Price 80' (PK)