Spalding boys beat No. 9 Loyola in soccer, 3-1

Having a full roster can make a difference in the outcome of any soccer game. Getting onto the board in the game’s first minute never hurts, either.

Andre Tenorio scored off a cross from Zach Roberts just 49 seconds into Archbishop Spalding’s game against visiting No. 9 Loyola Blakefield on Monday. That set the tone and served as a preface for what might have been the Cavaliers’ most complete performance of the season as they defeated the Dons, 3-1.

“We have been very unfortunate with injuries and red cards this season, so we have only had a full complement of players for two games, and those are the two we have won,” Archbishop Spalding coach Rich Moller said.

Loyola (3-5, 3-4 Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference) had the kickoff, but Roberts, his twin brother, Peter, and Tenorio pressured the back pass and served immediate notice that it was going to be a close game. Peter Roberts sprang Zach Roberts down the right sideline, and Zach Roberts sent a long cross to the back post that found Tenorio’s, who scored on a header for the early advantage.

“That changed the game,” Loyola coach Lee Tsanchret said. “We wanted to come out and dictate the game and, one minute in, we are behind. Unfortunately, we kind of stayed in that stupor throughout. We did not play the game we normally play, and they punished us for it.”

Zach Roberts extended the lead to 2-0 with 13:44 left in the half. A corner kick bounced around in the box and found Peter Roberts, who fed his brother for the score.

Zach Roberts was a consistent threat to score and push the back line, and a constant irritant to the Loyola defense. Moller, in his first year at Archbishop Spalding (2-8, 1-6), moved Zach Roberts up from defense, and the results have been solid.

“He is everything you could ask for,” Moller said. “He works hard, takes on players, and he has the ability and vocal leadership, too. We could not put the ball away in some other games, but Zach had good positioning and a good shot throughout.”

Despite controlling play for much of the first half, the Cavaliers surrendered a goal with nine seconds left. A deflected cross sent in by John Peterson found an open Luke Briggs on the back side for a goal that lowered the deficit heading into the half.

“The goal was frustrating, but we were finally able to take the lead early and that put us ahead and we brought that confidence into the second half,” Archbishop Spalding’s Jack Longergan said.

Corbin Martin scored on a free kick from Luke Bernlohr with four minutes remaining for a 3-1 lead.

Field hockey

PATTERSON MILL 3, PERRYVILLE 1: The Huskies (2-6, 2-1) won their second