After defender Nicolina Boretti’s successful penalty kick in the first half provided the needed offense, the No. 3 Archbishop Spalding girls soccer team executed an efficient plan to protect the lead in the second half and come away with a 1-0 win over No. 2 John Carroll Wednesday in Severn
The Cavaliers (10-4-1) improved to 6-1 in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference, solidifying their hold on second place while John Carroll (11-2-1) fell to 4-2-1 in league play.
In protecting the lead, the Cavaliers stretched the field, playing through balls and long balls over the top with forward Mo Ostrowski the primary threat. They created scoring chances and, more importantly, made the Patriots work the ball up the entire field to create their own opportunities.
The visitors chances were few in the second half, with defender Shelby Foit hitting a shot just high from 30 yards and Boretti clearing a last-second corner kick.
"We talked about a little tighter defense and pushing [Ostrowski] up a little more to occupy two players to give us a little more room in the middle," Spalding coach Bob Dieterle said. "Other than that, it was just good team defense and staying focused."
Boretti's goal came with six minutes left in an evenly played first half after Haley Walker got tangled up with a couple John Carroll defenders with the ball nearby inside the Patriots' penalty area.
The Cavaliers got a strong game in the middle from Annie Hogan and a cohesive defensive effort led by central defenders Samantha Kirk and Rachael Griffith. John Carroll goalie Gina Maiorana made eight saves and got fine play from defender Erica Bodt and midfielder Olivia DiFonso.
No. 3 Spalding 1, No. 2 John Carroll 0
Goals: S -- Boretti
Saves: JC – Maiorana 8; S – Babin 3.
Half: S, 1-0.