Playoff Schedule & Results; In-Game Thread

Photos: PVI @ Good Counsel; Ryken Girls @ Good Counsel; Ryken @ Gonzaga

Quarterfinal action continued in the WCAC Wednesday as all but one game was played. In boys’ action, it was business as usual for most teams, as DeMatha advanced past O’Connell, 3-0, to the semifinal round, but the biggest upset of day came from No. 7 Paul VI, who knocked off the No. 2 Good Counsel 2-1 in Olney, Maryland.

PVI was able to pull off the upset of the second-seeded Falcons despite the game starting out perfectly for Good Counsel, as captains Jeff Byrnes and Hugh Roberts applied continuous offensive pressure with beautiful set-ups from Malcolm Harris. However, it was sophomore Brian Saway who was able to score off of a volley from Harris with 23 minutes left in the half. PVI looked like they did not even want to be on the pitch in the first half, which ended with the Falcons in the lead 1-0.

The Panthers woke up in the second half, and the tables turned for the two teams. Only nine minutes into the half, Tyler Phillips headed a pass from Kennedy O’Shea into the net for the equalizer. As both teams continued to battle, PVI was showing more effort on the offensive side of the ball. With 18 minutes remaining in the game, Raul Marinello blasted a shot from 45 yards out, which ended up over a diving Wes Long in the top right corner of the game, proving to be the game-winner. After numerous attempts by the Falcons, the defense of PVI always came up with a clear. Good Counsel also received three yellow cards in as many minutes, undoubtedly hurting their chances.

PVI moves on to a date with No. 3 seed Gonzaga on Friday. The Eagles beat St. Mary’s Ryken 5-1 on Tuesday. The winner of PVI/Gonzaga will take on the winner of DeMatha/McNamara. The No. 5 seed Mustangs beat No. 4 seed Carroll in overtime, outscoring the Lions 4-2. The two clubs had tied back on September 25 after Carroll took the first game back in August.

The Good Counsel women's soccer team continued its mission to a league championship with a 2-1 win over St. Mary's Ryken on Wednesday. The Lady Falcons started off fast and never looked back as junior forward Kerry Mueller applied early offensive pressure with some nice shots on goal that barely missed. Her prowess would eventually pay off when she found the back of the net with 23:09 left after a beautiful assist from fellow junior Jessica Daly.

Ryken would have trouble controlling the ball in the Falcons’ half, as it would continually find its way back with a Falcon run. Freshman sensation Midge Purce would make a run into the 18-yard box and drew a penalty. Junior captain Alexis Prada would take the penalty kick, and easily found back of the net with 14:00 left in the half to push the lead to 2-0, and the half would end with that score.

Ryken would come out with some fire and energy and relentlessly attacked the goal. Junior Alysse Houston was able to put one in from for the Knights and cut the lead to one. Unfortunately for Ryken, they could not generate any more pressure, and if they did Katelyn Engen was there to shut it down.

Good Counsel will host Holy Cross on Friday in Olney in the semi-final round, while Ryken’s season is now complete. The winner of Good Counsel/Holy Cross will take on either No. 8 seed St. John’s, who upset No. 1 seed O’Connell Wednesday. The game between No. 5 Elizabeth Seton and No. 4 Paul VI was postponed until today.

Quarterfinal Playoff Scores

Boys Soccer
DeMatha 3, O'Connell 0
McNamara 1, Carroll 1 (4-2 PKs)
Paul VI 2, Good Counsel 1
Gonzaga 5, St. Mary's Ryken 1

Quarterfinal Playoff Scores

Girls Soccer
Holy Cross 3, Ireton 0
St. John's 1, O'Connell 1 (SJC 3-2 PKs)
Good Counsel 2, St. Mary's Ryken 1