Atholton beats No. 6 Marriotts Ridge, 1-0, in boys soccer

Even though it was just 12 minutes into the game, Atholton goalie Kyle Forbes knew he had to stop a penalty kick by sixth-ranked Marriotts Ridge if his team was going to have any chance of winning the Howard County showdown.

Marriotts Ridge entered the game with four consecutive shutouts, so a one-goal deficit has been insurmountable to most of its opponents.

Forbes guessed correctly to his left, pushing aside the shot to keep the game scoreless. The host Raiders took advantage 23 minutes later when freshman Tariq Pitt-Bey scored off a pass from Emilio Altamirano, leading to a 1-0 victory. The Raiders improved to 3-0 on the season and knocked off Marriotts Ridge (4-1) for the first time in three years.

"I definitely came out thinking that I pretty much have to save everything if we want to win," Forbes said. "It was a very big win for us. It's going to set the mood for the season, definitely. A great team effort, and both teams played well."

Marriotts Ridge lost 80 percent of its scoring from last year, so the Mustangs have relied mostly on counterattacks and set pieces to generate offense. After missing the penalty kick, the Mustangs continued to attack, but Atholton's defense, led by Forbes and defender Derek Chen, would not bend.

The Mustangs were coming off a 1-0 victory over No. 7 Liberty on Monday.

Atholton, meanwhile, made the most of its best chance on a counterattack as Pitt-Bey timed his run to the goal perfectly. The Raiders did well using the outside of the field to create space and build their attack.

"It was a side run down the flank and a great pass by Emilio," Pitt-Bey said. "I just blasted it to the corner. We're just trying to do our best and looking toward being state champions."

Midway through the second half, Marriotts Ridge earned three consecutive corners. But each time, Forbes or an Atholton defender was able to knock away a dangerous ball.

"He made a great save on the penalty kick, and I think it's a different game if we go up one-nothing," Marriotts Ridge coach Kevin Flynn said. "We did a lot of what we wanted to do. We didn't give up much in the back. We have to put some chances away."

Goals:

A—Pitt-Bey.

Assists:

A—Altamirano.

Saves:

M—Shepherd 4; A—Forbes 7.

Half:

A: 1-0.