RECAP: Women’s Soccer Starts Metro Off Strong
Being up by one goal for the first 70 minutes of the first metro League match against Mountainside, the Women’s Varsity Soccer team showed their true chemistry, taking the 5-0 victory when the final whistle blew.
After a frantic first five minutes of the match, the Crusaders settled down and began playing very good possession. Senior Riley Jeffries controlled the game in the holding midfield spot that she has had since her freshman year.
“I thought we moved the ball around really well and were patient,” Jeffries said. “It was challenging at first to break down their defense but once we were able to we created a lot of chances.”
In the 20th minute Jesuit continued to have the majority of the ball when Junior Maeve Thomas hit the crossbar off a beautiful cross.
“We showed a lot of patience and a lot of what I think we do really well is pass the ball around,” assistant coach Darren Chilton, known as Chile, commented. “So I’m happy with that response.”
The Mavericks decided to switch to a five-back to control the Crusader’s dynamic forward line. Mountainside Junior, Anya Rhode, stayed strong as the center of the five-back and held down their back line.
Junior Mare Dunne hit a left foot banger into the top right corner in the 35th minute to put Jesuit up 1-0.
Halftime score: Jesuit 1, Mountainside 0.
Coming off the sideline, Jesuit immediately brought the intensity, hungry for another goal. After a beautiful combo including over five players, Dunne had another shot in the 41st minute that went right over the bar.
The last 10 minutes of the match is when Jesuit really stepped on the gas. In the 70th minute, sophomore Riley Weaks played a cut back ball from the end line where Natalie Webber finished with grace.
Only two minutes later, with the sister combination, freshman Eva Stiles played the ball to senior Sophia Stiles to put the Crusaders up 3-0.
In the 74th minute, the sophomores Weaks and Webber came together for another combination where Webber smashed it into the back of the net.
“It was a really hard fought game from both teams. I am really happy that I could contribute and help the team be successful,” Weaks said. “I’m really looking forward to the playoffs and the opportunity to represent Jesuit and go for a state championship.”
To close the game off with two minutes left, Weaks placed the ball in the corner for the win.
“I feel really good about winning the first game in metro,” Chilton said after the game. “Especially because this team was undefeated.”
Final Score: Jesuit 5, Mountainside 0.
