7th/8th graders ousted in the playoffs

The 7th/8th grade lost their playoff game Saturday.

7th/8th grade coach Tommy stated the obvious Friday night when he said that he wanted his team to "score early" and then just play defense.

Unfortunately, he got just the opposite when the other team scored within a minute or two into the game and put the 7th/8th graders in a 1-0 hole.

The boys had a chance to tie it up midway through the first when Moises had a clean shot from the top of the box, but he hooked it a little bit wide of the net.

They did capitalize a little later on in the quarter when Christian picked off a goal kick and sped right towards the net, scoring his first ever playoff goal.

But that was the last goal the 7th/8th graders scored, and their season came to an end as they were defeated 4-1.

It was fitting that following the game that when the team posed for pictures, everybody on the team was wearing a red jersey.

On a soccer team, the goalie will wear a different colored shirt so that the referees can spot which player on the team is eligible to pick up the ball with his hands.

And even though the season is over, there was still no clear cut answer on who was the goalie for this team.

Matthew started the year between the posts, before giving away to Moises, who then gave way to Julian, who then stepped aside for Junaid. Even Brendan played goalie for a half when he was pressed into duty.

There was never a constant in goal and it led to everybody else on the field to shift positions.

Junaid was victimized on the eventual game winning goal when he was way too deep in his net.

Off a corner kick, he made a save but was inside goal line when he caught the ball.

What compounded it was the fact that if they had just held serve for another minute, the half would've ended in a 1-1 tie.

Disaster struck in the 3rd quarter when Christian collided with the other team's goalie. Both players were on the ground for a few minutes before eventually getting up and walking off on their own power.

A ball was sent towards the opposing team's net and Christian went all out for the ball, showing no fear whatsoever. And at full speed he blasted the goalie and hit him in the groin area, while Christian took a hard shot to the ribs.

It was a two goal swing since the other team took the ball right away and went down the field to stretch their lead to 3-1.

They added another in the 4th quarter to round out the scoring, and put away the 7th/8th graders.

Overall, it was a good season for the 7th/8th graders.

Like so many other St. Mary's teams, more than half of the roster comprised of players who were participating in soccer for the first time in their careers.

Time just wasn't on their side.

For some of the veterans who have played since 4th grade, they were able to sustain success in their final two years of soccer, after a pretty bitter first three years.

This team also has five 7th graders so they'll be back next year and with some experience under their belts, they should be primed and ready to get back to the same spot a year from now.

After the game, coaches Tommy and Derek announced that Brendan and Christian will represent St. Mary's in the CYO Achievement Game next Saturday.

Congratulations to them as well as the entire team for a hard fought season.