Cadets dominate but struggle to score in win over Montini

By Eddie Burns
Photos courtesy of Annie Collins

The feeling along the Marmion Academy sideline became more and more uncomfortable the longer Tuesday's match with Suburban Christian Conference foe Montini remained scoreless.

The Cadets dominated play but they simply could not find the back of the net until the closing stages, when they scored twice in the final 10 minutes to pull out a 2-0 victory in Aurora.

"The wind was a factor," Marmion coach Kevin O'Connor said. "We weren't finishing in the final third – we had chances galore both halves and we couldn't break through. I think we were rushing things a little bit."

Marmion (4-2-3) finally broke through in the 70th minute against the Broncos (0-4) when freshman Flynn Collins sent an innocent cross high into the air.

The ball got caught up in the breeze, bounced off the crossbar and then off Montini goalie Brandon Baaske before finding the back of the net.

"I just tried to cross the ball into the box and at first, when I saw the ball hit the bar, I thought it was out, but when I saw it hit the keeper's face I was pretty happy," said Collins, who already has two goals this season.

"I'm really glad I scored. It was good to finally get one in there because we all felt the pressure. I was really happy."

The Cadets all appeared a bit more relaxed when play resumed and three minutes later junior midfielder Luke Elder made it 2-0 when he flicked teammate Cory Fitzgerald's pass past Baaske in the 73rd minute.

O'Connor said he thought Collins' goal was bit lucky, but was pleased with the work that went into creating and finishing Elder's goal.

"I'll say it – our first goal was a bit of a fluke, but we'll take it," O’Connor said. "(Elder's) goal was very nice. I thought we possessed the ball extremely well.

"We wanted to have possession and to create, but we just didn't finish and that has been a problem for us this year – putting the ball in the net."

Elder said the Cadets controlled the match so much that they deserved to win.

"We practice hard and play hard and it was good for us to get the result because we played well enough to win," Elder said.

"We had to do a better job of keeping the ball on the ground in the second half and we did that. We played the ball more to feet and we didn't try to do anything fancy."

The Cadets dominated right from the start.

In the opening minutes, Mick Maley, Mike Frasca and Joe Romanos each had great chances glance off the post or crossbar.

Those three players had numerous chances to score as did teammates Matt Beach and Alex Theisen and Fitzgerald.

Meanwhile, Antonio Ortiz, Juan Pablo Jasso and Theisen played a solid defense in front of goalie Brad White.

Marmion's attack was relentless as the Cadets continued to pressure throughout. The Cadets moved the ball much better in the second half when they adjusted their style of play and kept the ball closer to the ground.

"At halftime, I told the guys that I liked the way were attacking," O'Connor said. "I liked the flow of the game. We were getting in their box almost whenever we wanted.

"Once we got inside the 18, we just weren't executing. I was concerned because it was getting late in the game, but we got the job done."

The playing conditions were less than ideal with a howling crosswind impacting the match throughout.

"This was by far one of the most difficult winds to play in," Elder said. "It really created a lot of problems early on because it took time for everyone to adjust."

Marmion lost a lot of quality players to graduation a year ago, but the Cadets are already receiving contributions from all levels – including freshmen.

Collins said he is enjoying his time on the varsity level.

"As a freshman I am really happy to score and contribute," Collins said. "I just came into the season expecting to maybe score one goal the entire season. When I score I am happy and I show it out there."

Collins' energy gets everyone on Marmion's side excited.

"He's like our mascot out there," Elder said. "We can feed off of his enthusiasm. It is good for us and the team."

Overall, O'Connor didn't have much to complain about, except for his side's inability to finish.

"We did a lot of good things," O'Connor said. "We possessed, we passed and in the second half we played to feet much better and I think we actually frustrated them a bit.

"By playing to feet we created so many advantages on our side. The only way we'll get better at finishing is to practice, practice and practice. We're creating chances, but now we just have to finish them."