MIAA Soccer Update

by Nelson Coffin

Both times league-leading Calvert Hall (8-1-2, 7-1-2 A Conference) scored in a tense showdown with McDonogh (10-3, 6-3) early in the week, the Eagles had the wherewithal to draw even.

The deadlock continued until sophomore Mike Orsi’s perfect send-in found senior Ian Robinson for a 5-yard header that finally secured the lead for the Cardinals in the 64th minute.

Instead of yielding the equalizer again, Calvert Hall junior wing back Caleb Beatson doubled the advantage shortly thereafter and he and his defensive mates turned away a late McDonogh surge to claim a 4-2 victory.

Junior Alex Whitt and senior Zach Tamanini had staked the Cardinals to one-goal leads earlier in the match, only to watch Zachary Johnson and Austin Roberts answer for the Eagles.

After going 2-1 in a tough three-game stretch against Archbishop Corley, Loyola Blakefield and McDonogh, the Cardinals knew that plenty of challenges loomed, including Friday’s tussle with Mount St. Joseph.

“They have been in every game they have played, and certainly could be in the top three if not for some injuries,” he said about coach Mike St. Martin’s Gaels. “We have talked about being on top after the first-half of the league schedule, but there is a long way to go. We need to work on getting better, especially on the defensive side. I believe the best defensive teams will be there in the end. We have to be ready for every game.”

Zinkand’s comments about his defense proved prophetic when the Gaels (2-5-3, 2-5-2) scored a whopping five goals to match the Cardinals in  a 5-5 standoff on Friday in Towson.

Calvert Hall, which took a 3-1 lead only to fall behind, 5-3, rallied to gain the tie on a penalty kick with 13 seconds remaining in the game. Senior Kori Essien paced the Cardinals with three goals while Tamanini and junior They Sloan had the other scores.

The Duodu brothers, Franicis and Immanuel, helped the Gaels keep it close at halftime by converting assists from Alex Sexton and Ashton Wray.

A pair of goals by Rocco Romeo and one by Wray put St. Joe ahead, 5-3, until Calvert Hall scrambled to eventually salvage a point for its effort. 

“Considering we have nine freshmen and nine sophomores on the varsity, I feel that we will get better and better as a season goes on,” St. Martin said. “I was proud of the way we came back in the game, going down two goals and then gaining the lead by two.”

Gilman (4-3-3, 4-1-3) extended its unbeaten streak to eight games by virtue of a 1-1 deadlock with second-place Loyola — and, similar to Calvert Hall, did so with time running out in regulation.

After junior Mezi Ikemba was fouled in the penalty area, senior forward Bashir Abou buried a penalty kick in the 79th minute. Two weeks ago, Abou’s clutch goal with two minutes remaining in regulation downed John Carroll, 1-0.

The Greyhounds then tasted defeat for the first time since bowing to McDonogh in early September. The Eagles knocked off Gilman, 2-0, on Friday with Austin Roberts and Drew Goodrich the offensive heroes.

Curley (6-4-2, 5-3-1) started its week with a 3-2 verdict over Mount St. Joe and then picked up a 3-1 win against Archbishop Spalding (4-6, 4-6) on Friday after falling behind in the eighth minute. The Friars netted the equalizer five minutes later on a sweet pass from Landon Beckman to fellow senior forward Jack Comey, and then took the lead for good on Beckman’s PK in the 22nd minute.

Loyola (7-2-1, 6-2-1) bounced back from the Gilman tie to edge Concordia Prep, 1-0, and gain solo possession of second place, four points behind Calvet Hall and a point ahead of McDonogh. 

Annapolis Area Christian School, St. Paul’s, Severn and St. Mary’s all remained unbeaten in B Conference play.

The Eagles edged Gerstell Academy, 2-1, the Crusaders powered past Indian Creek, 5-0, the Saints beat St. Vincent Pallotti, 3-1,, and Saints Peter and Paul, 2-1, and the Admirals topped Park, 4-0, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 6-1.

Undefeated C Conference teams include Glenelg Country School, Beth Tfiloh and Key.

The Dragons stopped Chapelgate Christian Academy, 5-0, the Warriors defeated Jemicy, 8-1, and the Obezags prevailed over the Yellow Jackets, 2-0.