The boys soccer team battled the Serra Padres in a fast-paced, physical matchup that ended in a tough 3-1 loss for M-A on Wednesday night.
Early in the first half, M-A nearly scored when junior Elliot Keighery sent a fast shot to the far right side of the goal, sending the Serra goalkeeper diving. It missed just wide, leaving fans disappointed and keeping the score at 0-0.
The Bears continued to pressure offensively, creating multiple close opportunities. In one sequence, a corner kick by M-A resulted in a chaotic scramble just a few feet away from the goal, but the Bears couldn’t finish it, and the ball was eventually headed out by the Serra goalkeeper.
Soon after, the Padres got the first point on the scoreboard, setting the score at 1-0. Serra quickly began to gain momentum and pressed aggressively on offense, immediately hitting more shots on goal. However, junior goalkeeper Torrey Franz reacted quickly and was able to block all of them. M-A responded with a promising one-on-one towards the goal, but the Serra goalkeeper stole the ball right before the Bears could get a shot off.
Serra returned the pressure with a long, powerful cross, but junior fullback Finn Doherty came in with a clean block, clearing the ball before it could hit the goal line. However, the Padres’ momentum remained strong, and minutes later, they fired a shot on goal, forcing Franz to make a quick, low-corner save.
A dangerous one-on-one for Serra followed, but M-A’s defense recovered quickly, stealing the ball before the Padres could get another shot off. The first half ended with high pressure and intensity from the Padres, leading 1-0.
As the second half got underway, Serra regained control with a lofting shot that flew just above M-A sophomore goalkeeper Gerardo Corona, giving the Padres a 2-0 lead. The Bears’ defense stayed strong. One player stopped a long, fast break by sliding in and forcing the ball out from the attacker’s foot. Still, Serra struck again moments later with a low strike aimed into the far left corner, increasing the Padres’ lead to 3-0.
From here, M-A began to pick up intensity, winning more midfield battles, stringing together cleaner passes, and increasing the tempo.
The Bears’ pressure paid off, and they finally broke through Serra’s defense when junior forward Isaac Chen fired a clean shot into the back of the net, giving M-A a sliver of hope with just a few minutes remaining, and putting the Bears on the scoreboard, 3-1.
Despite the increased energy and improved ball movement, the Bears were unable to complete the comeback in time, ending the game with a 3-1 loss to the Padres.
“I feel like the first half is where we made the most mistakes. I feel like we just kept blowing the ball over to their side, and I feel like we didn’t connect as many passes as we usually do,” senior center-mid Alan Vaile said.
Next, the Bears will play Newark Memorial away on Saturday at 2 p.m.
