8th graders blanked in first game

In an all too familiar script, the 8th grade soccer team was shutout in the first game of the season.

Of the 13 players on the 8th grade team this season, only three of them, Brandon K., Brendan and Hunter played last year. Five of the players are from the 7th grade at DeMarillac, who all played their first CYO soccer game ever.

Most of the players, as expected looked a little lost and tentative on the field. Even some of the returning players looked confused.

With only a week of practice under their belts, they were out of sync from the get go.

Christian had a nice chance early in the game when he penetrated through the attack zone, only to lose the ball a top of the box.

The other team transitioned well, took it the other way and scored the first of several goals on the afternoon.

It was a very slow start for the 8th graders who clearly were not prepared for game action, as they trailed 4-0 after the end of one.

They did however get a few chances to score, but were unable to convert and were blanked in game one.

Still, the team has some talented players who have speed, and are more than capable of putting the ball in the goal. Their game experience however is lacking against players who have played since the 3rd grade.

Now when have you heard that before about St. Mary's soccer?

The team's second game is next Sunday.