Sports
Chaminade Makes Most Of Opportunities Against Cadets
Chaminade withstood a barrage of CBC offensive pressure midway through the first half and made the most of counterattack opportunities to improve to 5-2 on the season with win over CBC.
A weekend contest between two of the area's top soccer programs on Saturday saw the capitalize on a counterattack opportunity in the first half, and then ice the match with a second goal late in the game to claim victory over Metro Catholic Conference rival CBC.
Chaminade held the Cadets scoreless in the 2-0 victory behind firm goalkeeping by junior Tyler Eades. The Red Devils' first half goal came courtesy of Tommy Barlow, a sophomore striker who had numerous strong runs through the Cadet defense during the game. Jordan Bay tallied the second goal on a scurry in front of the CBC net with 13 minutes to play.
"We played really well in the back...any time you can shut CBC out you've probable done something right in the back," said Chaminade coach Mike Gauvain.
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CBC peppered the Chaminade net in the first half, forcing some key plays by Eades, including one where he did not touch the ball, but cut off the angle of CBC's striker effectively enough to direct a shot off the goalpost. The pressure nearly led to a Cadet lead, however Chaminade tightened up in the middle back and created a pair of near breakaways on the counter, with the second materializing Barlow's goal.
Though the Red Devils have a pair of blemishes on their early season record, those losses came against a couple of top Illinois squads during a recent road trip. Chaminade lost in one of those games against Peoria Notre Dame, who posted a 26-1 record last season as Illinois Class 2A champs. Gauvain is known for pressing his teams into competition against top teams from outside the St. Louis area.
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"When you play good teams like that, including CBC, you're going to have periods of the game where the other side gets possession and you have to take advantage of your opportunities," said Gauvain.
Next up for the Red Devils is the 57th Annual Bob Guelker CYC Tournament, featuring 34 teams in a pool play/World Cup format, beginning September 19th at the Anheuser Busch soccer park in Fenton.
Chaminade is grouped with Duchesne, Howell Central and Mehlville in Group D. If they win their group, the Red Devils will potentially face CBC again in the second round elimination stage of the tournament.