MILLTOWN — Nate Hughes scored twice in quick succession early in the second half, and the Spartans held off a spirited comeback attempt by Tower Hill in a 3-1 home win on Sept. 26. The Spartans dealt the Hillers their first loss of the season.
The action was nonstop up and down the field, with each team scoring a goal in the first half. Saint Mark’s had much of the early possession, and they struck first in the 24th minute. Brayden Wrinn (St. Mary of the Assumption Parish) took a pass down the right sideline from Zach Burns (St. Mary Magdalen Parish) and got behind a Tower defender. He drilled a shot past goalkeeper Pete Eppley to the far side of the net.
The Hillers wasted little time responding, scoring in the 28th on a sensational shot by Dailey Welshmer. He had enough time to send a shot from a sharp angle to the right of Spartans goalkeeper Clay Swift, who had no chance as the ball sailed into the top right corner, just under the crossbar.
With a light rain falling, Hughes put the Spartans on top in the 44th minute. Saint Mark’s countered some Hillers pressure, with Hughes setting up about 20 yards in front of the goal and drilling a shot into the net. Burns got the assist.
Two minutes later, a Spartans free kick from about 35 yards out bounced around the front of the goal before ending up outside the 18-yard box. Nick Rocco sent it back in to Hughes, who sent a 15-yarder off the hands of Eppley, who scrambled but was unsuccessful in keeping the ball from rolling over the goal line.
The Spartans kept the pressure on as the rain picked up. They had a corner kick, followed by a free kick that Eppley punched out of harm’s way, and the Hillers’ keeper stoned Rocco on a hard shot following a steal.
Thomas Swasey, who came in to play goal in the second half, was tested repeatedly in the final 20 minutes. He went high to deflect a shot over the net in the 62nd minute, leading to a Hillers corner kick. Tower earned three more corners before the game ended, one of which went directly to Swasey. He also caught a free kick, and he dove to make a save with just a few minutes remaining.
Each team took 12 shots on goal, and the Spartans had a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. Swift and Swasey combined for 11 saves. Saint Mark’s (4-1) stay home to host Archmere on Oct. 1 at 3:45 p.m.
Eppley stopped nine shots. The Hillers (5-1) host Wilmington Friends on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Photos by Mike Lang.
