By DAVE O’SULLIVAN
Publisher
ABSECON — With the cutoff date for the state playoffs bearing down on them, and a four-game losing streak in tow, the Cedar Creek Pirates desperately needed a win against Holy Spirit on Monday to steady the ship.
Sophomores Tori Wilson and Rhian Freire came up big for Cedar Creek, combining for three goals and three assists as the Pirates blanked the Spartans, 5-0, to improve to 5-7 and inch closer to the .500 mark.
“Obviously, we’re working toward making the playoffs. It’s a young team and kids are learning new positions, but it’s kind of coming together right now,” said Cedar Creek coach Linda Brennan. “And it’s a good time in the season for them to be jelling, so it’s exciting.”
The Pirates got an early goal from Freire and continued to pressure the Holy Spirit defense, but the Spartans played tough in front of freshman goalie Lauren Meroli, who finished the game with 11 saves.
Wilson scored her first goal of the game off an assist from Kelsi Walker on a corner with 5:08 remaining in the first half to put the Pirates up 2-0, and Cedar Creek got a huge momentum boost just before halftime, as Freire and Wilson assisted on Hailey Fowler’s goal on an untimed corner.
Wilson scored again with 17 minutes left in the game, and Marlee Massaro pushed the lead to 5-0 with less than two minutes remaining by scoring off a pass from Hannah McKensie.
Cedar Creek’s five goals were the most it has scored this season, and the most since a 3-0 victory over Winslow Township on Sept. 17. Coach Brennan said a big focus the past few weeks has been trying to get her team to play more aggressively inside the circle. Defensively, the Pirates have been solid, allowing just eight goals in the past four games, but they’ve also scored just three times during that stretch.
“Last year, I felt like I forward was too hesitant inside the circle. I think they were too afraid of losing the ball than finishing the drive. So, this year, that’s what we’ve been stressing — taking that first shot from the top of the circle, and they’ve been working on it and they are coming together at the right time,” Brennan said. “We need a couple of wins to get our confidence going and put ourselves in a good spot (for a playoff berth). The goal this year was to host the first round of the playoffs and make it to the second round.”
The next five games will be crucial for Cedar Creek, as it faces Lower Cape May, Middle Township, Buena Regional twice, and Holy Spirit again. The Pirates also have three of those games at home, including Lower Cape May and Middle Township.
Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sully@acglorydays.com; on Twitter @GDsullysays