Brookfield Academy did what no team has been able to do this year – keep St. Joe’s from scoring.  The Lancers fell just short of the State’s final 4 play next Friday, losing 1-0 to the Blue Knights.  The Blue Knights remain undefeated for the season.

The lone goal in the match came in the 36th minute on a free kick following a foul called on the Lancers.  Coach Gino Alia:  “It was a physical match.  That particular call could have just as easily been judged a play on.  But it was a correct call and I think one intended to keep the players in check.”   Brookfield Academy’s free kick was taken from 25 yards out, found it’s way over the Lancers wall, was deflected by goalkeeper Sarah R, with the ball remaining loose in the box.  Brookfield Academy was able to find the loose ball, and after short scramble, able to slide it into the goal.   St. Joe’s responded with a flurry of offensive threats before half, but they were unable to find the equalizer.  The match was 1-0 at half in favor of the Blue Knights.

The second half saw the Blue Knights fall into an even tighter defensive formation.  “They are a well-coached team.  They had a lock down plan coming in which, to their credit, they executed,”  Alia said.  St. Joe’s Martina H, that state’s leading scorer, was a clear mark for the Blue Knights, as was freshman Ava R.  “Their midfield did an outstanding job getting back and then doubling up, which really prevented us from getting any easy connections or 1 v. 1s.”  Despite that, Martina managed to get off 4 shots on goal.  For the match the Lancers had 15 shots, with 8 on goal, compared to 11 shots and 7 shots on goal for Brookfield Academy.  Sarah recorded 6 saves for the Lancers.

“We had some great chances in the first half, and at least 3-4 excellent opportunities to equalize in the second half.  Unfortunately, things didn’t break our way.  The girls played their hearts out.  It certainly would have been nice to keep playing, but this match doesn’t diminish what the girls accomplished this season, and what our seniors have done over the course of 4 years.  This team reached a lot of milestones this year, and set an even higher bar going forward.  That alone says a lot about these girls.”    In addition to the players mentioned above, Savannah R, Sydney A and Katelyn V turned in exceptional performances for the Lancers.