By Andy States
Digital Sports Content Manager
For Saint Mary’s Ryken senior Pat Brennan, the formula for success is quite simple — have fun.
Early in his team’s contest against the visiting Paul VI Panthers it was the Panthers having all the fun. That changed as the game progressed, and with 2 minutes 10 seconds showing on the scoreboard clock Brennan fired the game-winning goal into the net to lift the Knights to a 10-9 Washington Catholic Athletic Conference win.
“The first half I didn’t have much fun,” said Brennan, who scored twice. “Second half we all came out really hard and just had a lot more fun. I’m all about having fun when I play.”
Paul VI (11-5, 6-3) dominated the opening quarter. Off the opening faceoff, the Panthers patiently held the ball for the game’s first couple of minutes before Peter Wiles put one in the net to give the visitors the early lead. Paul VI scored the game’s first three goals and led 4-1 at the end of the quarter.
But Ryken (10-3-1, 7-2) fought back to tie the game at five on Will Fejes’ goal with 1:36 left in the first half. Shortly thereafter, Matthew Boutin slipped one into the goal while being knocked to the ground to give the Knights their first lead just prior to the half.
“I think we had a couple quick goals and everybody just got pumped up and got a little confidence,” Ryken coach John Sothoron said.
Neither team led by more than a goal through the second half. The Panthers scored the first two of the third quarter to jump in front 7-6 on Danny Barcklow’s goal. Ryken followed with the next two, leadfrogging back in front on an Addison Goodley tally.
The Knights broke an 8-8 tie early in the fourth on Fejes’ third goal of the game, but Kevin Righi scored with 3:44 remaining to knot the score at nine. A minute-and-a-half later Brennan ripped in the game-winner to cap Senior Day at Ryken on a happy note.
Fejes led the Knights with three goals, while Boutin, Brennan and Goodley each contributed a pair.
“They were doubling up on Pat, he’s my midfield partner up top,” Fejes said. “When they double-team him it gives me a lane to sweep back right.”
Christian Tiedge paced the Paul VI attack with three tallies. Barcklow and Righi each chipped in with two.
With a roster that has five sophomores and more inexperience that may have been typical in recent years, Ryken has struggled to find consistency at times this season. But with the postseason rapidly approaching, the Knights are still finding ways to win and have not dropped a game since an April 11 affair with South Carroll.
“We didn’t come out with much intensity,” Sothoron said. “We knew Paul VI had a heck of a team this year and they played like it. We came back in spurts, but we held on at the end and that was the most important thing.”
Saint Mary’s Ryken 10, Paul VI 9
P 4 1 3 1
S 1 5 2 2
Goals
Paul VI: Tiedge 3, Barcklow 2, Righi 2, Avveduti, Wiles,
Saint Mary’s Ryken: Fejes 3, Boutin 2, Brennan 2, Goodley 2, Spaulding
astates@digitalsports.com
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