Junior midfielder Maise McCune scored off of a free kick in the 29th minute to lead St. John's to a 1-0 victory over host Bishop McNamara in the final regular season game of the 2010 WCAC schedule.
McCune's goal appeared to open the Cadets' attack up as McNamara was forced back on their heels in their own defensive third with the scarlet and white coming at them from the flanks time and time again. Junior Najla Muhammad had a wonderful chance on goal when she received a lovely pass from defender Aly Grossman and had no one but the Mustangs 'keeper to beat as she raced in from 12 yards. Unfortunately, Muhammad's attempt went straight at the net minder and out of bounds for the first of two SJC corner kicks on the day.
In the 22nd minute, sophomore forward Amara Nwoso was played in behind the Mustangs' back four and whistled a shot high and wide left of the home side's goal from 8 yards. Junior Shannon Collins (2 shots), McCune (3 shots), Muhammad (2 shots) and forward Mary Matecki (1 shot) all tested the 'keeper but could not add to the score sheet.
SJC Head Coach Colin Lennon was booked for dissent in the 24th minute when he expressed his frustration with the officials' tight line on offsides throughout moments of the first half. St. John's tallied a season-high, eight offsides infractions during the eighty-minute contest - a statistic that the third-year skipper was not pleased with.
"We had plenty of chances to build on our lead and couldn't get into a rhythym offensively", said Lennon. "I know our players worked hard to create many chances but the final strike at and into the goal departed us today. We must be sharper on Tuesday [at Holy Cross, 3PM] if we want to advance deeper into the conference tournament."
The SJC defense, led by junior co-captains Aly Grossman and Alison Slark, helped 'keeper Kirsten Glad maintain a clean sheet for the 12th time this season. It was also the Cadets' fifth win in seven matches and brings their overall record to 12-8-4 and 7-5-4 in the WCAC table.
The victory allows SJC to claim the sixth seed in the tournament which pits them at Elizabeth Seton High School on Tuesday, November 9th. The quarterfinal match kicks off at 3:00 PM. The winner will play Good Counsel, the first seed, on November 11th at the Olney, MD school.
GO CADETS!
MATCH STATS
SJC BMCN
Goals 1 0
Shots 9 3
Saves 2 4
CK 2 2
FK 8 3
Fouls 8 12
SJC Goal: McCune 29' (Grossman)
Caution: Coach Colin Lennon 24' (dissent)
The official blog of the St. John's (D.C.) College High School Women's Soccer Program.
