Coach Gino Leon called Hannah Thomas (above) and Helena Barber the players of the game for their defensive work in Ireton's 2-1 win at Holy Cross Tuesday.
In May, Coach Gino Leon knew this week would be one of the critical stretches in the 2011 schedule with Holy Cross and Potomac School on the docket. Leon’s charges took care of the front end of the week with a 2-1 win in Kensington on Tuesday.
Senior midfielder Ciana Puglise gave the Cardinals the lead in the first half with a goal and senior Gabby Goddette scored the eventual game-winner to boost the advantage to 2-0.
Holy Cross would not fold, however, and after closing the gap to 2-1, continued to end with unrelenting pressure in the Cardinals’ end. Leon said the play of the defense was the key to the outcome. “Hannah Thomas and Helena Barber, without question, were the players of the game. They played defense as well as anyone could hope, when Holy Cross pressed us, they kept us out of trouble. You need goals to win, but no question, Barber and Thomas were the difference in this match.” praised the Ireton head coach.
The win improved Bishop Ireton to 6-0, 2-0 in the WCAC. With the new single game conference format, the Cardinals will play 8 league games and road wins in the extremely balanced and competitive WCAC are critical. Ireton will need road wins to stay at the top of league with the preseason conference favorites, Good Counsel and Bishop O’Connell, both scheduled away for the redbirds.
Next up for the Cardinals is Potomac School. The McLean school edged Ireton 1-0 in the season opener last year and that game served as a conversation point at season’s end as the undefeated Panthers made the case they topped Ireton and the Cards upended previously undefeated and top ranked Good Counsel, bolstering the argument Potomac was the area’s top girls team. Gametime for the varsity only affair is 4:15 on Fannon Field.
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