To hear St. Vincent girls soccer coach Cory Strattman put it: seven minutes decided the game.
Cape Central scored twice in the final seven minutes of the first half on free kicks to help propel the Tigers to a 4-2 victory on Monday. Anna Schwartz scored both goals for St. Vincent in the game
That really cost us,” Stratmann said. “They got those two there late in the half and that ultimately was the difference in the game.”
With the game tied at 1-1, a corner kick resulted in a handball in the box as a Tiger’s shot hit the hand of an Indian defender.
The Tigers made the most of the opportunity as Abby Simon converted the ensuing penalty kick.
Mary Schwartz had a free kick for the Indians five minutes later, but the shot was directly at the goalkeeper who made the save.
The Tigers struck shortly there after to put the Indians in a hole.
A minute later a foul was called on St. Vincent just outside the box and the Tigers once again took advantage.
The free kick hit a St. Vincent defender and deflected right to freshman Madison Phelps who buried the chance in the back of the net to give Cape Central a 3-1 lead at halftime.
St. Vincent came out of the halftime break and dominated possession for much of the first 10 minutes.
That paid off as Anna Schwartz was able to tally her second goal of the day, just two minutes in off a free kick from Emme Kirn.
Unfortunately the Indians were not able to get a third, game-tying goal across the line.
“We were pushing really well and kept the pressure on,” Strattman said. “Even though we had all that pressure, we still weren’t able to score it again, but I liked the fight that I saw in the team.”
However, it wasn’t like the Indians weren’t without their chances. St. Vincent back-to-back corner kicks and with 15 minutes left Kamille Graham had a breakaway, but the Cape Central goalkeeper made a diving stop and deflected the ball out of bounds.
