Reigning 4A New Mexico State Champion St. Pius X visited the DMV last week for a three-game test against Gonzaga, St. Albans, and St. Andrew’s. The Sartans arrived with an early season record of 6-1 and top-10 state ranking. At Steuart Field, the talented, offensive-minded visitors found what many opponents have come to expect – an STA team that controls the ball, pressures opposing defenses and aggressively defends its defensive half of the field. Anchored by another strong showing by the back line of Rhys McIntosh, Kenechi Emuwa, Jacob Romhilt and William Long, and goal keeper William Eastright, the Bulldogs shut down the St. Pius attack. On the offensive side, Thomas Bean got the Dogs on the board early with a perfectly place header of a Patrick Brady corner at 4:30 of the first half. Chris Bates made it 2-0 at the 18:00 minute mark with one of his patented runs to the goal and a perfect finish from a Tom Brady left-wing feed. Patrick Brady got the play started, winning a 50/50 ball at mid-field.

 

The hosts held on to the two-goal lead with precision ball movement and timely defensive stops. Patrick Brady finished the scoring at 54:34, skipping a shot over the sprawling St. Pius keeper from the top of the penalty area. Xixi Espinoza forced a turnover that Brady corralled at 20 yards out, then quickly pivoted to put himself in shooting position.

 

St. Albans improves their record to 3-0 and will carry an early season shutout streak (11 goals for, 0 against) into their Friday matchup with Jackson-Reed at 4pm on Steuart Field.  The Tigers are currently 3-2 on the season with games against Coolidge Monday and Banneker Wednesday before Friday’s neighborhood matchup.