MILLTOWN — Caravel captured the momentum in overtime of its girls soccer showdown at Saint Mark’s on April 24, and the Buccaneers capitalized with a goal on a corner kick to take the 1-0 win over the Spartans. The Bucs remained undefeated, while the Spartans absorbed their first loss of the season.
This battle between Division II title contenders had a postseason feel. Both teams had opportunities and near-misses, and the goalkeepers, while not overworked, had to be on their toes.
Saint Mark’s had the better of the chances through the second half, but a combination of the Caravel defense and keeper Taylor Fitzgerald kept them off the scoreboard. Things swung back in the Bucs’ direction toward the end of regulation, but they could not end it in 80 minutes.
It didn’t take long for the Buccaneers to get going in the 10-minute golden-goal extra session. They earned a corner in the first minute, but the Spartans repelled that. A long free kick in the 86th was wide, but Caravel got another free kick — this one from much closer — in the 87th.
On this one, Caravel’s Anaya Price was taken down jost outside the 18-yard box to Cirillo’s right. Price fired a rising laser toward the goal, but it smacked off the underside of the football crossbar, giving the ball to the Spartans.
The Bucs regained possession and picked up another free kick, this one from about 40 yards out, but it went off a Spartan and over the end line. Grace Slapcinsky lined up to inbound the ball to Cirillo’s left. Slapcinsky lofted the ball toward the center of the 6-yard box, and it curled around the keeper’s arms and hit the netting on the far side, bringing the contest to a dramatic close.
The was the only ball to cross the goal line all day, although there were some close calls. The Spartans’ Emma Manley forced Fitzgerald to make a spectacular lunging save in the 21st minute, and in the 24th, Sierra Potts of the Buccaneers sent a blast high that Cirillo was able to deflect up and off the crossbar.
Manley nearly cashed early in the second half. She worked against a Caravel defender to Fitzgerald’s right, turned to her left and lofted a left-footed shot over the keeper, but it smacked off the crossbar. A Bucs turnover deep in their own territory was send just wide by the Spartans in the 44th minute. They were just high on two other opportunities in the second half. The Buccaneers had several chances, but they could not find the mark.
Caravel outshot the Spartans, 9-6, and had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Fitzgerald had six saves. The Bucs (7-0), who have allowed just one goal all season, open a four-game home stand on Friday against Howard at 6:15 p.m.
Cirillo stopped eight shots for the Spartans, who are 6-1. They play the third of seven straight at home on Friday at 4 p.m. against Sussex Academy. The Seahawks are 7-0 and play Thursday at Sussex Tech before their game at Saint Mark’s.
Photos by Mike Lang.
