McDonogh takes over first place in MIAA A soccer

by Nelson Coffin

For the first time this season McDonogh soccer has taken over sole possession of first place in the A Conference. 

The Eagles had a banner week by hammering Mt. St. Joseph, 5-0, on a pair of goals by Val Quaranta and single strikes by Ryan Broome, Drew Goodrich and Maddox Christian. Center backs Maddox Ward and Broome helped freshman keeper Will Chisamore (4 saves) maintain the shutout. 

The Eagles (12-3, 8-3 league, 24 points), closed the week by overwhelming Concordia Prep, 8-0, to leapfrog Calvert Hall (8-1-2, 7-1-2, 23) in the standings.

Loyola Blakefield (8-2-2, 7-2-1) and Archbishop Curley (8-4-2, 7-3-1) also made great strides toward catching the Cardinals with wins on Tuesday with the Dons shutting out Archbishop Spalding, 2-0, to creep within a point of the Cardinals. 

“It was another great game by the boys,” Loyola coach Lucas Winters said, noting that Will Wnek’s penalty kick in the second minute gave Loyola momentum to overcome a Cavalier squad that prevailed, 1-0, when the teams met in early September.

Loyola added an insurance goal with 10 minutes remaining in the second period.

“Spalding was pressing high trying to get an equalizer and Michael Leming picked off a pass and chipped over the keeper from just over the half line,” Winters added. 

It was Leming's sixth goal in five games. 

“Defensively we were solid all around,” Winters concluded. “Our goalie, Colton Gibson, and defenders Jimmy Black, Cole Fones, Diego Hernandez and Michael Leming did well to record a clean sheet.”

Curley coach Barry Stitz said that his team played a complete game in downing defensive-minded Gilman, 4-0, early in the week.

His son, Matt Stitz, started things off against the Greyhounds by converting a Landon Beckman assist in the seventh minute before Beckman made it 2-0 at halftime after powering in a long throw by junior Mason Kurek.

“We came out well,” Barry Stitz said. “And then played really well in the second half.”

The Friars scored quickly after the intermission with senior forward Jack Comey and senior midfielder Chase Matthai doing the honors.

Fine play from center backs Avery Rothschild and Logan Palinkas — not to mention the third consecutive save this season on a PK by senior goalie Josh Axt — helped to keep Gilman from mounting a rally.

A 5-1 verdict over John Carroll on Saturday finished off an excellent week for Curley.

Meanwhile, Saints Peter and Paul handed Severn its first B Conference loss when sophomore Keon Otmishi picked off an errant pass to score the game’s only goal in the fifth minute in a 1-0 road triumph.

“They made a mistake early,” Sabres coach Jeremy Troutman said. “And we took advantage.”

Troutman said the game plan was to try to force the Admirals into playing a direct style, which center backs Graham Robinson and Drew Frankos defended well.

So did senior goalie Nathan Merchant, who made three key saves late in the second half.

“I think we’re trending in the right direction,” Troutman said. “We have a high standard, and they rose to that standard.”

Unfortunately for the Saints, Boys’ Latin spoiled the mood by securing a 2-0 triumph on Friday to remain unbeaten in league play — yet in fourth place — behind first-place St. Paul’s.

The Crusaders walloped Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 7-0, before topping St. Mary’s, 2-0, to match the 12 points accumulated by the Saints, who have played one more B Conference contest than St. Paul’s

Annapolis Area Christian School stands alone in second place after downing Indian Creek, 3-0, Friday afternoon

Severn, which will host St. Paul’s on Tuesday, is tied for third with Gerstell Academy, with BL a point behind that duo.

Beth Tfiloh holds down the top spot in the C Conference after a 6-0 whitewash of Chapelgate Christian Academy.