Spartans fall to Marmion in SCC showdown

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By Chris Walker

St. Francis took three corner kicks and had a couple of shots on goal in the first 15 minutes of play during Friday's Suburban Christian against Marmion in Aurora.

The Spartans were unable to take advantage of their early opportunities while the Cadets seemingly came to life midway through the first half, scoring twice to take a 2-0 lead at half, before tacking on a couple goals in the second half, winning comfortably, 4-1.

"We got off to a slow start and just weren't sharp in the first 15 minutes," Marmion coach Kevin O'Connor said. "We struggled from a possession and a pace standpoint, and quite frankly, we were lucky we weren't down 1-0 early."

Marmion (10-4-3) took a 1-0 lead when Mike Frasca scored the first of his three goals. Frasca took a free kick from Mike Maley, dribbled down the sideline and hammered a shot to the opposite post.

"We started off really slow but once we got that breakthrough we got going," Frasca said. "It seems like every game once we get that first one then the second and third come really quick. It gives us confidence and then we keep going and don't stop until the game is over."

Frasca put the Cadets ahead 2-0 when Matt Switzer sent a pass toward the goal that Frasca was able to briefly possess and send into the back of the net. The goal came mere moments after St. Francis coach Kristin Keigley was voiced her displeasure with the officiating.

"There's no reason for referees or coaches to make their presence known at a soccer game," she said. "I shouldn't have been yelling and screaming but the referees made their presence known by making calls that were clearly affecting the outcome of the game."

There have been lapses in matches this fall where the Cadets are lackadaisical, as they were for most of the first 20 minutes of the opening half on Friday. Then, there are times where they put it all together. It's something the veteran leaders have been aware of as the team is striving to put a solid 80 minutes together every time.

"Our core guys - Mike Frasca, Mike Maley, Matt Switzer, Alex Ruble and Brad White - without question these guys are the backbone of the team," O'Connor said. "They know their expectations are extremely high and they have to bring their 'A' game every night. They have been willing to accept the challenge and that's what good players and leaders do."

St. Francis (5-8-2) saw its chances of rallying fade rather quickly early in the second half when Maley sent a cross to Joe Romanos who pounced on it and sent it into the net to make it 3-0.

"We played hard and played a good game, but they got a few lucky ones," St. Francis senior Mitch McShane said. "We had a lot of control and a lot of chances but just didn't capitalize."

Frasca finished off his hat trick off a corner kick to put Marmion ahead 4-0.

"I think we dominated the last like 20 to 30 minutes of the first half and then beginning of the second half before the starters came out," he said. "I felt we passed and had a pretty good game by our standards."

The Spartans broke the shutout when Drew Mascari sent in a rebound shot off his missed penalty kick. His kick ricocheted off Marmion keeper Brad White, but Mascari alertly collected the rebound and sent it in.

It was the first penalty kick in four tries allowed by White this season. He'd get another chance when Remmy Mifsud was awarded a penalty kick shortly after Mascari's and this time he batted it away from harm.

"The most frustrating thing is to allow one on a rebound," White said. "I hate being scored on, especially on a rebound. I love taking PKs though. It's fun and the key is not letting up another one after that first one."

The Spartans have been trying to be a contender in the conference, but they haven't been able to get over the hump against teams like Marmion. Meanwhile, the Cadets aren't complaining about owning bragging rights again this year.

"They're always battling every year so it feels good to beat them," Frasca said. "It feels good to end their conference season so they have no chance at all. It's a big rivalry in everything so it feels especially good to get a good win."