Midfielder Anna Wissler joined the Cardinals in 2010 from Camp Lejeune High School
The 2010 girls’ soccer season hopefully will be remembered as the start of a return to the top of the WCAC for Bishop Ireton girls’ soccer. It certainly will be remembered for the physical struggles with Bishop O’Connell, particularly on this day with the semifinal game in conference championship play. The 3-1 win by the Knights doesn’t reflect the battle the clubs waged for the third time this year.
Striker Morgan Reuther staked O’Connell to a 1-0 lead with 24:12 to play in the first half, but Ireton responded late in the first to tie the score at 1-1. Junior Hannah Thomas launched a direct kick from 30 yards away that hit the crossbar and once again the alert Cardinals banged home the loose ball, this time Gabby Barowski in the right place at the right time. Thomas had a strong effort for the Cards; she patrolled the entire field on this day, denying the Knights repeatedly in the defensive zone, stopping the attack at midfield, and even putting a great header on goal from a set play corner kick.
Barowski broke free momentarily with under 30 seconds remaining in the opening half, but speedy junior’s shot went just wide left as the visiting Cardinals clearly had the Knights on their heels as the first half ended.
The physical play continued in the final period as Karina Azar was lost to the redbirds with a possibly broken wrist, all conference forward Katrina Guillou hobbled by a reoccuring ankle injury. Bishop O’Connell gave territory grudgingly in the game with junior Shannon Nasca anchoring the Knights defense and the midfielders checking Ireton relentlessly.
Junior Caroline Leary broke free at 49:45 mark in the game to regain the advantage for the Knights at 2-1 and the rugged O’Connell defense bore down.
Guillou returned in the second half for Ireton, but the midfield was slow going and the parries into Knight territory yielded fewer quality scoring opportunities for the Cards. Reuther, an all conference performer for the home squad, put the game out of reach at the 75th minute when she scored her second goal of the day for O’Connell.
“We played a talented opponent well on their home field with some major contributors missing.” commented Coach Marianna Sullivan. “Adrienne Maday was out with her grandmother’s funeral, Katrina’s reinjured ankle slowed her, and Karina’s injury were tough to overcome. I am proud of the girls today and this season, no doubt about that. They are fighters.”
The loss ended a winning campaign overall for Bishop Ireton, (10-9-1) their first since the 2005 season when they lost in the WCAC finals
Junior Gabby Goddette is one of 16 varsity lettermen expected to return for the 2011 season
to St Johns. Kelsey O’Leary, Sarah Olsen, Jess Bobick, Joanna Faletti, and Caroline Boddie played their final game for Bishop Ireton, but the Cardinals will return a wealth of experience and talent for the 2011 campaign.
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