NORTH READING– The Spartans couldn’t overcome a strong defensive performance by Austin Prep, falling 3-1 in a Catholic Central League matchup Wednesday afternoon.
Kayla Demers had the Spartans’ lone goal while goaltender Eliza Brown made several key saves to keep St. Mary’s in the game in the second half.
“It was a good soccer game,” St. Mary’s head coach Jim Foley said. “We were able to tie it up 1-1 and then we had two breakdowns. You can’t do that against a good team that capitalizes on chances. They did capitalize on both the mistakes we made, unfortunately.
“We had a couple chances here toward the end of the game,” Foley added. “We had a couple shots, but their keeper had a good game. Our goalkeeper, Eliza Brown, had a great game as well. She saved us a bunch of times.”
Austin Prep head coach Tim Phelan was happy with his team’s great defensive play in a hard- fought win.
“Every time we play St. Mary’s it’s a hard-fought game and this was one of those games,” Phelan said. “The CCL is a tough league and they are a good team with a lot of good players, and it was a full 80-minute game.
“I think the strength of our team is that we play as a team both offensively and defensively. I think the defensive unit played well together,” Phelan added. “We send people in the middle-back so we play as a team rotating and covering for each other. I think we did a good job of that.”
Austin Prep started the game with a goal in the first 10 minutes of play. Junior Mia Han gained possession about 10 yards outside the St. Mary’s box and ripped a far shot that found the back of the net to put Austin Prep ahead 1-0.
St. Mary’s responded in the second half with 31:19 left to play. Demers hustled down the right side of the field, beat an Austin Prep defender to a loose ball and found just enough space to get off a shot and tie the game at 1-1.
“We are a mentally strong team,” Phelan said. “It was a beautiful shot by Kayla Demers. She is an excellent player and it was a rocket, but it’s an 80-minute game. These girls are mentally strong and were able to dig in and put it behind them and keep playing hard.”
The Cougars added their final two goals, both within five minutes of each other, in the final 17 minutes of the game. Han sent a perfectly placed ball across the St. Mary’s goal and Jess Caputo was able to finish the play to put Austin Prep back ahead 2-1.
The lead was extended on a goal by Kaelah Ross, putting the game too far out of reach for the Spartans in the final minutes.
The loss drops the Spartans to 3-2, 1-2 in CCL play.
“They were able to control periods of the game and we had chances that we should have cashed in on,” Foley said. “They are a good team and when you make mistakes they are going to capitalize, not for lack of effort, just some breakdowns and that will happen every once in a while.”
The Spartans are off until Saturday afternoon (1) when they host Matignon in a make-up game at St. John’s Prep.
“They are in the Catholic Central Small so this is a game,” Foley said. “We have two losses now so we have to focus up and get back on track.”
