9-21-08 Bethlehem 2-1 L

The Friars couldn’t finish against Bethlehem. [PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANCI]

BY MICHAEL GANCI

ONEONTA, N.Y. — The St. Anthony’s girls soccer team was unable to make it a perfect weekend in Oneonta as they were defeated by Bethlehem on Sunday by the score of 2-1.

The first half was a seesaw battle, but the opening minutes were definitely controlled by Bethlehem, seventh in the latest state Class AA rankings. The St. Anthony’s keeper was doing all she could to thwart off the attempts, and she was successfully doing that. That was until 11:27 left in the first half, which is when Bethlehem finally broke through.

Kaitlyn Martin found herself in the right place at the right time, and she was able to blast the ball into the St. Anthony’s net. That gave Bethlehem a 1-0 lead. Both teams had plenty of chances as the half progressed, but good intensity in the defensive zone prevented either team from getting any other kind of scoring chances. The first half ended with Bethlehem winning 1-0.

The defensive intensity persisted well into the second half, and with that, the physicality definitely took a step up. Whistles were blown more frequently, and the pace was slowed down. That seemed to play right into Bethlehem’s plans, as they were looking to try to outwait an anxious Friars team.

With 6:19 remaining in the second half, Kristie Link was able to emerge from the pack of players with the ball, and she was able to put the ball into the net for what seemed like the dagger.

As time continued to disappear on the Friars, they seemed more a more frustrated. Bethlehem was content with just clearing their zone, and the Friars had no answer. The only saving grace is that they were able to avoid a shutout with 20 seconds left, when Jennifer Meier was able to put n a rebound. But, for St. Anthony’s it was too little too late.

St. Anthony’s, which entered the weekend ranked third in the state, will look to get back on the right track when they host St. John the Baptist on Monday at 4:15 p.m.