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Carroll-McCort defense makes one goal stand up in knocking off Wolves

D6 1A boys soccer

By Nate Ritchey 6 min read

The Bishop Carroll-McCort boys soccer team had just about everything going its way during Wednesday night's matchup with Saint Joseph's Academy.

The only thing that wasn't in the Huskies' favor was the number of shots on goal.

However, BC, at least for one game, will be just fine with the quality over quantity theme that played out as the Huskies made one big quality opportunity count in valiantly holding off a Wolfpack team by a 1-0 final in District 6 Class 1A semifinal playoff action at Mansion Park.

"Obviously, I would have loved to have seen more shots our way," Bishop Carroll-McCort coach Chad Ryan said. "But, when you're getting peppered the way we were, our guys kept their heads. And, a little bit of luck was on our side."

In doing so, second-seeded Carroll-McCort gets a return trip to the district title game against Westmont Hilltop -- a team it lost to in double overtime last year by a 1-0 score -- on Tuesday.

"It's not revenge, it's redemption for us," Angus Ryan said. "Losing in double overtime, that goal -- still in the back of my head. ... That's what we've been working on all summer and all season. We have another chance (at a title), and we're going to take advantage of that."

In the opening half, third-seeded Saint Joseph's definitely had more chances to put the ball into the net as six shots landed on goal, but Bishop Carroll-McCort goalkeeper Angus Ryan was able to turn the Wolves away each time.

While the Huskies didn't have many opportunities, they certainly made the most of the one shot on goal as Eli Cunningham took a feed from Nick Oravec, settled the switch and was able to lift a shot over Saint Joe's keeper Charlie Ramos from just inside the right side of the penalty box.

"I have to give it to Nick because he has a really good pass there," Cunningham said. "He pretty much gave it to me (where I needed it to be). I'm going to be honest -- I didn't think it was going to go in. I was hoping for the best, and sometimes that's all you need."

The Cunningham goal with 8:50 left in the half was just the second total shot of the half for Carroll-McCort.

What preceded the goal was six shots with five on goal by the Wolfpack, including two from the corner and one direct free kick that all had a chance.

The first corner off the foot of Isaiah Crispin in the 28th minute found the foot of a teammate on the back post but the shot went wide left of the goal.

The direct kick sailed towards the goal but Angus Ryan was able to pull it in before a Saint Joe's offensive player could get a touch on it.

The second corner got deflected by Angus Ryan, then hit the backside post and fortunately went right to a Huskies' player who cleared it out of harm's way.

"In the second half, as far as game plan changes, there was really nothing we needed to do (differently)," Saint Joseph's coach Spencer Gigante said. "I mean, we were battering their goal, we just couldn't get one home. Props to their keeper because he kept it clean, but we had chances we just couldn't capitalize on."

The second half really proved to be heartbreaking for Saint Joe's, and nearly heart stopping for Bishop Carroll-McCort.

The Wolves managed to launch 14 shots in the second 40 minutes of play with half of them landed on goal requiring Angus Ryan to make a save.

However, there were several others that barely rolled wide of the post or the foot of an oncoming teammate looking to redirect it on goal.

"Credit to Saint Joe's because they did not back down," Angus Ryan said. "I'll be honest, I got lucky on a few of them. ... My whole team played great. The defense -- huge shoutout -- I wouldn't be there without them. It's a team effort."

With 24 minutes remaining, a sequence that told the luck of both sides played out when Crispin took a shot from 35-yards out and Angus Ryan had to dive to deflect it out for a corner.

On Crispin's corner play-in the box, the ball was headed by a SJ player off the crossbar, bounced back to another Wolves' player who directed the quick deflection by the BC goalkeeper and off the left post.

The shot caromed once again to the foot of a Saint Joseph's player who had his attempt sail over the goal for a goal kick.

"We've had a curse with Carroll for as long as we have played," Gigante said. "I think we are 0-4 against them in the playoffs now. I don't get it. We're just unlucky -- straight unlucky."

Angus Ryan has to stand on his head several more times while the defense continued to do its part in turning away the Wolfpack.

With nearly seven minutes on the clock, Bishop Carroll-McCort was called for handling two yards outside the box where fortunately the direct kick from SJ's Chase Luckovich went over the goal.

For the match, the Huskies had just three shots on goal and five total, while the Wolves placed 12 on net and had 20 total.

"They (Saint Joseph's) hit the post three or four times -- we had some luck," Coach Ryan said. "We'll take it, but obviously I would like to see more (shots by our guys) because luck's not going to work against Westmont."

SCORE BY HALVES

Saint Joseph's 0 0 — 0

Bishop Carroll-McCort 1 0 — 0

First half: BC-M--Cunningham (Oravec), 8:50.

Second half: none.

Goalies: Saint Joseph's -- Ramos: 2 saves, 3 shots on goal; Bishop Carroll-McCort -- Ryan: 12 saves, 12 shots on goal.

Shots: Saint Joseph's 20, Bishop Carroll-McCort 5.

Corner kicks: Saint Joseph's 6, Bishop Carroll-McCort 3.

Records: Saint Joseph's (5-13-0); Bishop Carroll-McCort (8-11-0).

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