Posted on 23 October 2013 by wsimmons. Tags: Bishop Ireton soccer, wcac soccer
Adrienne Maday (10) was one of nine honored at senior day Friday and responded with a pair of goals for the Cardinals.
Senior day for nine Bishop Ireton seniors started slowly but once the Ireton freight train got rolling, there was no slowing the Cardinals down in a lopsided 6-1 win on Fannon Field Friday.
In the game’s 15th minute, Grace Hersey fed a perfect pass to Lilly Weber and the Cardinals shook off their early game gitters and began to dominate the game. In the opening minutes, St Johns rarely let the ball out of their offensive zone. After the Weber goal, the Cadets rarely had any quality time in the Ireton zone.
Seven minutes after the first goal, Megan Reilly finished a nifty series of passes that seemed to cross the field touching only Ireton feet but not even the ground, with a blast that found the back of the net before many players recognized the flight of the ball. With ten minutes left in the half, Ireton struck twice within a minute. Senior Adrienne Maday scored the first of her two goals, Weber would also score a pair, and the lead ballooned to 4-0. Sabrina Leoncio tallied for Ireton, the fourth player to score on the day. At 6-0 St Johns got on the scoreboard with a goal by Rachel Alexander, but it was much too little, way too late for the visitors, who had played Ireton to a 3-3 tie to open the fall season.
“Once the girls got into the game, they played a beautiful game. They really controlled the play. I think they are playing their best soccer right now, and it is the perfect to peak.” commented head coach, Gino Leon.
For Ireton the win improved the Cardinals to 7-3-3, 3-2-2 in the WCAC, good for a tenuous hold on 4th place in the league, one point behind Holy Cross. The Panthers of PVI are close behind, with three games remaining, including a visit to Bishop Ireton on Wednesday. Game time for the regular season finale is 4pm for both varsity and JV at Witter Street Fields.
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Posted on 22 October 2013 by wsimmons. Tags: Bishop Ireton football
Sophomore Alex Duke was a frequent ball carrier and target on the pass for the Cardinals Saturday.
A disasterous start to the homecoming football game was too much for Bishop Ireton to overcome Saturday before a big crowd that included the returning champions from the 1992 and 1993 football teams, in a 44-21 drubbing at the hands of the PVI Panthers (2-6) in Alexandria.
Paul VI took the opening kickoff and scored on their third play, a 61-yard quarterback draw by junior Ryan O’Connor to give the Panthers a quick 7-0 lead. It almost immediately became 14-0 when Jamon Cofield intercepted an Andrew Latrash aerial on the 28 yard line and raced untouched into the end zone with 10:38 left in the opening quarter. When the Cardinals were forced to punt on their next series, the Panthers went back to work and drove to the Ireton 22 yard line where O’Connor found senior tight end Andrew Gorczyca with a perfectly placed pass that the 205-pound Panther hauled down for a touchdown on fourth down and nine. The PAT by Caleb Hutson was wide, the only kick he missed on the day and the first period ended with the Cardinals trailing 20-0.
Early in the second period, Paul VI capped their third drive of the game with a six-yard touchdown run by Cofield, his second score of the day, to expand the advantage to 27-0. The Panthers soon had the ball again and an illegal block penalty slowed that drive, with Hutson settling for a 30-yard field goal.  Though the Cardinals generated some offense in the opening two periods, they headed to the locker room staring at a 30-0 deficit.
Ireton did move the ball quickly in their opening drive of the third quarter, with a Latrash to Alex Duke pass putting the Cardinals in the “red zone” for the first time in the contest. Two plays later Duke grabbed a Latrash toss and scampered 6 yards for Ireton’s first touchdown. Matt Bocchi added the PAT and the sideline stirred.
The Panthers quickly responded with another score of their own. Aided by a personal foul deep in Ireton territory, Colfield rambled the final 6 yards for a score and a 37-7 lead. Cofield scored his fourth touchdown on a 54-yard ramble early in the final period to stake the visitors to a 44-7 lead.
The Cardinals countered with a 76-yard bubble screen to junior Drew Smith, who outran the Panther defenders to the end for Ireton second touchdown of the day and Smith scored again to cap a 75-yard drive on a 14-yard pass play, earned on the strength of Duke and Latrash rushing and a key screen pass on fourth down to continue the drive.
Bishop Ireton (2-6) drops their fifth straight and now heads to McLean to face another punishing ground game at the Potomac School (6-1) and the area’s leading rusher in Jalen Broome. Kickoff is set for 2pm.
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Posted on 21 October 2013 by wsimmons. Tags: Bishop Ireton soccer
Two-year captain Spencer Amarantides (5) and the Ireton defense allowed only a single goal at St Johns, but it was all the Cadets needed to eke out a win, 1-0 Friday.
An afternoon of spectacular goalkeeping by St Johns’ was the difference in a 1-0 heart breaker for Bishop Ireton in Washington Friday.
A Cadet header at the mid point of the first half got by Ireton’s Andrew Perham and staked the home team to a 1 goal advantage.  It would be all St Johns would get, but unfortunately for the Cardinals, all they would need.
Joey Faddoul was robbed of a sure goal, one of many the Cardinals nearly scored in the tightly contested game. Some of the saves were tremendous saves, some seemed to be little more than luck.  But, as the saying goes, it is often better to be lucky than good. When it came to goalkeeping, the Cadets were blessed with both on Friday.
The Cardinals will finish the regular season on Wednesday evening when they travel to Paul VI for the always tough Panthers. Game time is 7pm for the varsity game while the JV will open the evening at 5:30pm. Ireton (5-6-2, 3-3-2) is jockeying for seeding in the upcoming WCAC playoffs beginning next week. A win over PVI could propel them into contention for a 4th place finish and a home quarterfinal playoff date. A loss will undoubtedly send the redbirds on the road for their playoff journey.
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Posted on 18 October 2013 by wsimmons. Tags: Bishop Ireton soccer, wcac soccer
Naval Academy-bound Natalia Barrow (23) has anchored the back line for the Cardinals for much of the past 2 seasons.
“I should be doing cartwheels because of the way we played, but we also feel like we let one get away tonight.” said head coach Gino Leon after top-ranked Good Counsel used a second half tally to escape with a 1-1Â tie Tuesday in Olney.
Bishop Ireton controlled the ball and play for much of the contest against the Falcons, who played the game without Imani Dorsey, arguably the conference’s top player. Sophomore Lilly Weber, one of the Conference’s best young players, took a pass from WCAC all conference player, Adrienne Maday, and gave the redbirds a 1-0 lead at the intermission.
“We really felt like we dominated the play, we played our game. One lapse was the difference.” lamented the Ireton skipper. He suggested the unsung heroines of the game also included senior Natalia Barrow and goalkeeper Amy Krotine as well as the forwards on the offensive side of the field. “It hurts to be that close.” commented Leon.
Little time to reflect on the game in the tightly packed WCAC standings. While the Falcons sit in the top spot in the league, they host second place O’Connell in their season finale on Tuesday with the top seed in the tournament on the line. Holy Cross sits in the third seat, but Ireton finishes the season with its two competitors for the fourth, or possibly third place, with St Johns on Friday and Paul VI on Wednesday. A pair of wins and a slip up by the Tartans and the Cardinals could finish as high as third. If Ireton falters, they could fall as far as 6th.
Game time for the Senior Day contest Friday is 4pm on Fannon Field with the JV tilt to follow. Cardinals will end the regular season when they host Paul VI Wednesday at Witter Street Fields. Both contests are 4pm starts with PVI.
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Posted on 18 October 2013 by wsimmons.
Sophomore Preston Haugh (8) scored Ireton's first half goal in a 1-1 tie with Good Counsel.
For the much of the first 60 minutes of Bishop Ireton’s boys soccer game with second place Good Counsel, the Falcons struggled to mount sustained offensive pressure in the Cardinals’ end of the field while trailing 1-0. Once they did it still didn’t produce results until the game’s last 240 seconds, when an Alassandro Burlew finished a wild scramble in the box following a corner kick to get Good Counsel on the scoreboard with 2:44 seconds remaining in the contest.
For the Cardinals, it was another strong performance by arguably the league’s most improved team over the past two years. After Andrew Perham’s sprawling save, Ireton regrouped and Preston Haugh kicked a knuckling shot on net that handcuffed the ‘keeper to give the home team a 1-0 lead. Moments later Haugh blasted another shot on net, but was denied the chance to widened the lead.
Early in the second half both teams had opportunities, Nick Ducceschi got an open look that was turned away and the Falcons replied with a shot on a sharp angle that hit the goalpost and richoceted away all in the period’s first 4 minutes. The teams sparred in midfield and exchanged rushes into the offensive zones until Good Counsel began to press the Cardinals in the half’s closing moments, leading to the tying marker. Even at that the game ended with Bishop Ireton deep in the Falcons’ zone pushing for the game winner as the whistle sounded.
The Cardinals, battling Ryken, PVI, and St Johns for a #4 seed in the upcoming championship tournament, have a pair of key games to end the season. They travel to St Johns on Friday for a 4pm start and end the regular season WCAC play on Wednesday at Paul VI. Two wins could secure a possible home playoff date, losses could push them as low as 6th and a trip to Olney to face the Falcons on their pitch.
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Posted on 18 October 2013 by wsimmons. Tags: Bishop Ireton tennis, WCAC tennis
Ireton's number 1 singles player, junior Kirsten Parker, teams with sophomore Stephanie Lin in doubles, part of a strong group of underclassmen playing tennis.
Bishop Ireton notched a WCAC dual meet win on the road with a strong 8-1 victory in Bladensburg Thursday over the Roadrunners of Elizabeth Seton.
“The girls were ready and showed up to win.” commented the Cardinals’ coach, Katie Johnson. Â “They’ve improved their service games and have gotten more aggressive and confident after this big win.”
Ireton took all three doubles matches. Kirsten Parker and Stephanie Lin had a battle on their hands but prevailed 9-7. Catie Isham and Casey Jackson won 8-1, Kellen Phillps and Alex Bowers triumphed in an 8-2 final.
With three WCAC dual meets remaining, two on the road, the Cardinals prepare for a senior day match up with always tough Paul VI at Wakefield Park. Games begin at 4pm.
1. Kirsten Parker won 8-2
2. Stephanie Lin won 8-0
4. Avery Morrison won 8-0
5. Molly Jeffers won 8-5
6. Megan Sullivan won 8-0
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Posted on 15 October 2013 by wsimmons. Tags: Bishop Ireton football
Cardinal defenders wrap up a Cadet during Saturday's game in Richmond.
A long bus ride, a sloppy field in wet weather conditions, and an opponent with a homecoming game spelled more than Bishop Ireton could handle Saturday in a 37-0 setback to Benedictine.
The Cadets, 3-3 on the year, fielded a veteran squad anxious to impress a homecoming crowd of alumni on a Saturday afternoon better suited for indoor activities. Ireton played inspired defense throughout the game, making big hits and stopping the Cadets from generally sustaining long drives. But it was the turnovers and mistakes that shortened the field that ultimately undid Bishop Ireton.
An intercepted Cardinal aearial led to a 29-yard field goal and the Cadets led 3-0 after one period. On the second play of the second quarter, the hosts bolted off tackle and down the left sideline to expand the advantage to 10-0, which was all Ireton would yield in the second quarter.
The third quarter, however, saw a blocked punt, interception for a touchdown, among the turnovers that led to a Benedictine explosion for 27 points on a “short field”. The Cardinals would not go away, holding the home team scoreless in the game’s final period.
The unofficial statistics revealed an offense that couldn’t get untracked with less than 100 yards of total offense against the stingy Cadets. The players themselves continued the fight, the defense yielding yards grudgingly and the hitting on both of sides of the ball was strong throughout the contest.
Little time to look back as the Cardinals (2-5) return home after three weeks on the road for a homecoming tilt against diocesan rival, Paul VI (1-6). The 1pm kickoff starts a day of festivities as Bishop Ireton welcomes back the championship teams from 1992 and 1993. Those teams will be introduced at halftime of the game, they gather on Friday in Alexandria to rekindle old friendships and will celebrate with Cardinal fans in the atrium of the auditorium following the football contest.
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Posted on 15 October 2013 by wsimmons. Tags: Bishop Ireton field hockey, wcac field hockey
Bishop Ireton struck twice in the game’s final 5 minutes to beat Bishop O’Connell in varsity field hockey Monday afternoon in Arlington. The JV team also triumphed in an identical 2-0 fashion in the nightcap.
For the Cardinals, it was a game they dominated in field position and possession but could not convert the advantage into goals. After a scoreless first half, Ireton pressed the Knights as the game clock raced toward a disappointing possible stalemate.
Hayley Snell finally broke the ice with 4:27 remaining in the game to stake the redbirds to a 1-0 advantage. That seemed to open the floodgates, for 20 seconds later Christine Macey tallied again for Ireton and a 2-0 lead.
Sophomore Anna Fracasso recorded her 5 shutout of the season in the win. She faced but a few shots on goal, but she was airtight with each and every one of them to keep the Cardinals in the game through the first three quarters of the match.
The Cardinals finish their WCAC regular schedule with a 2-4 mark, 5th in the league, 7-7 overall.
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Posted on 15 October 2013 by wsimmons. Tags: Bishop Ireton soccer, wcac soccer
Bishop Ireton showed the mental toughness it will take to make noise in the WCAC playoffs when the Knights tied the game at 1-1 early in the second half. The Cardinals’ Nick Ducceschi scored 69 seconds after the visitor’s tally to give Ireton a lead they would not relinquish in a 2-1 win at Witter Drive Field Tuesday.
For Ducceschi, it was his second on the day and another game winner for junior from Alexandria, who has scored the winning goal on three occasions this season already. With just less than 8 minutes gone in the first half, senior Joe Ready corralled an O’Connell pass at midfield and sent a long soft drive down field to the streaking Ducceschi who outraced the defender and beat the goalkeeper for the first score of the game with 32:30 remaining in the half.
That teams would battle evenly throughout the first half, O’Connell pressed the offense early in the second half, drilling one shot off the crossbar 13 minutes into the period. Â Eric Dunbar tied the game with 23:11 for O’Connell, but the gutty Cardinals responded almost immediately.
Ireton counterattacked and Duccheschi found a rebound in front of the goal, deep in the box and quickly banged it home to give the home team the 2-1 advantage with 22: 02 left in the contest. Â From there the redbirds smothered the offense of the Arlington visitors, allowing only a few shots on goal and senior Andrew Perham was equal to the challenge each time.
The win squares the Cardinals at 2-2-1 in WCAC play and a victory of a VISAA opponent more highly ranked should boost the Alexandria school in the next boys soccer poll next week. More immediate concern is the visit of Bishop McNamara on Friday.
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Posted on 15 October 2013 by wsimmons. Tags: Bishop Ireton soccer, wcac soccer
Two-year captain Spencer Amarantides (10) is a four-year varsity player for the Cardinals.
After a scoreless first half played in intermittent showers, Ireton’s Nick Duccheschi scored the game’s first goal early in the second period and set the stage for a 2-0 win on senior day at a soggy Fannon Field Friday.
The win sends Bishop Ireton to a 3-2-1 record in the WCAC while keeping the visiting Mustangs winless in league play.
A gray day, a slick field, wet ball, and rain as the game progressed made the tight Fannon pitch even more challenging for the Cardinals to find an opening. Both clubs parried back and forth, the Mustangs pressing with more shots early and opportunities from 6 Â corner kicks on the day. But once the Cardinals got on the board the tide began to turn. Ireton ended the day with 7 shots on goal, including the insurance score with just over 7 minutes to play.
A Preston Haugh pass to a “nearly” offside Joey Faddoul  sprung the speedy sophomore into the clear and he made no doubt with a blast to the right corner at 7:03 remaining to give Ireton the breathing room to close the Mustangs’ hopes for a quick strike to tie.
Ireton continues the home stand Tuesday at Witter Field as the Falcons of Good Counsel visit the Cardinals. Gametime for both varsity and JV is 4pm.
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