Defense carries Mount Saint Joseph

No. 2 Gaels record their sixth shutout of season

Two soccer teams jockeying for playoff position in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference met at Calvert Hall on Wednesday and visiting Mount Saint Joseph rode a sturdy defense and opportunistic offense to a 3-0 victory.

The No. 2-ranked Gaels (9-2-1, 6-2-1 MIAA A) are a half game behind first place McDonogh (6-3) in the Black Division.

No. 10 Calvert Hall (5-5-1, 4-4-1) is just ahead of John Carroll (4-5) in the Red Division.

The top three teams in each division make the playoffs.

Mount Saint’s defense, which secured its sixth shutout, was led by outside backs Dmitri Jordan and Torren Aikens, inside backs Sean Thompson and Jackson Simons, defensive midfielder Brian St. Martin and goalie Joel Fenstermacher (five saves).

“I think we were really on top of it. We’ve been practicing defensive shape and everyone has a good chemistry and everyone works well together,” Aikens said. “I think that’s our secret. Everyone is together and linked together.”

Meanwhile, when Calvert Hall’s defense faltered the Gaels pounced.

A foul in the box led to a penalty kick by Miles Lam and1-0 lead with 28:32 left in the first half.

Calvert Hall tried to get the equalizer but a long shot by Mike Gisriel was saved by Fenstermacher and another shot by Ben Bender was wide from 18 yards out.

Onthe other side, St. Joe junior Ty Stroud kept Calvert Hall defenders off-balance with nifty footwork and a dangerous foot.

That foot delivered a goal 59 seconds into the second half, when he cut across the grain and scorched a low shot into the net from 18 yards out.

Harford Christian 1, Rosedale Baptist 0: Devin Arnold scored the game-winner assisted by Dallas Kane to lead the host Eagles (6-5) over the Panthers (7-3).

Field hockey

Maryvale 3, John Carroll 2, OT: Courtney Richard scored two goals, including the game-winner, in a come-from-behind victory by the host Lions (5-8). The Patriots (7-3) built a two-goal lead.