St Pius X battles Cardinals to a Scoreless Draw

The rain threatened early on a blustery, warm afternoon, but the Sartans and Cardinals battled through the overcast conditions to 0-0 tie in a friendly match on Fannon Field Thursday. The Albuquerque, New Mexico high school arrived in Washington Wednesday, but showed no evidence of fatigue as they played the first of two games during their stay in DC.

The contest saw both clubs play a closely marked game, Ireton controlling the ball much of the contest but not generating the scoring opportunities head coach Marianna Sullivan hoped to see. “We moved the ball well, showed patience, and poise, but I would like to have seen us convert that into more scoring chances.” The Cardinals did put 8 shots on junior keeper Kila Hartom, but she was equal to the challenge on every shot.

The Sartans’ senior defender Rebecca Brunson had much to do with the Cardinals inability to score as well and Brunson’s direct kick from deep in her own zone briefly sprang junior Emma Durkin on a break with 4 minutes to play before the Cardinals’ keeper Jess Bobeck turned away the threat.

St Pius had five shots in the first half but did not muster a good scoring chance in the second period as the late pass eluded Durkin. Ireton’s Helena Barber, Hannah Thomas, Nicole Bond, and Caroline Boddie patrolled the Cardinals end efficiently throughout the game and while Karina Azar, Katrina Guillou, Ciana Puglise, and Anna Wissler possessed the ball for large periods of time but couldn’t create the chances Ireton’s Sullivan hoped to see.

“It was a good test for us.” commented coach Dave Sullivan. “We enjoyed the visit here and look forward to seeing the sites tonight and Friday.” For the Sartans, they visit last year’s Washington Catholic Athletic Conference’s tourney finalists in the Cadets of St Johns College High School Saturday at 2pm. Meanwhile, the Cardinals hit the road Friday for a conference tilt with the Mustangs of Bishop McNamara, where the Cardinals hope to move to 3-0 in the young conference campaign. Gametime in Forestviille is 4pm, with a JV contest to follow.