Prep Girls soccer: Morrison, Hoyes guide Spalding to playoff win

There are two big reasons why Archbishop Spalding girls soccer is a nationally ranked contender: Maggie Morrison and Courtney Hoyes.

Morrison and Hoyes combined for three goals and an assist as the host Cavaliers defeated St. Marys, 4-0, in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference quarterfinals yesterday.

"(Morrison and Hoyes) have been really special for us this season," Cavaliers coach Bob Dieterle said. "They work together really well."

Hoyes, who scored off of a header and made an assist, has 14.

"We all work really well with each other," Hoyes said.

Morrison, who scored twice, has a team-high 17 goals.

"We are pretty inseparable, even outside of school and soccer," Morrison said.

The Cavaliers' chemistry was on display against the Saints as Archbishop Spalding (17-0-1) controlled possession and the game from the outset. The Cavaliers' midfield and defense allowed just three shots on goalkeeper Jocelyn McCoy, who notched her 15th shutout.

Morrison's first goal came less than eight minutes into the game. She found a lane on the left side of the goal and crossed with her left foot into the back right corner of the net.

Despite being outmatched, the Saints' defense performed well for most of the first half. Only five of Archbishop Spalding's 15 shots came in the first half.

Goalkeeper Lizzie Roeble made several leaping and diving saves to keep her team in the game, and her twin, Allie Roeble, was effective at keeping the pressure low.

However, the Cavaliers struck again with just four minutes left before the break as Vickie Connor kicked a perfect feed to Hoyes in front of the net for a header.

"I just hit it," Hoyes said. "I didn't know where it was going, honestly."

Things only got worse for the Saints after intermission.

Stephanie Smith added to the lead less than three minutes into the second half, scoring on an assist from Hoyes.

For the next few minutes, the Saints (4-13) finally started to reach the Cavaliers' back line. It was too late.

Morrison closed the scoring when she intercepted a pass in front of the Saints' goal, pulled the ball back to avoid a defender and pounded the ball into the top right corner of the net.

"We knew we had to play our best game to beat them," Saints coach Meredith Beard said. "They're a great team."

The Cavaliers advance to the IAAM A Conference semifinals at home tomorrow at 3:45 p.m. They'll face No. 4 John Carroll.

"You've got to continue to build," Dieterle said. "I think the girls are getting more and more excited."

St. Mary's (4-13) 0 0 - 0

Archbishop Spalding (17-0-1) 2 2 - 2

GOALS: AS Morrison 2, Hoyes, Smith. ASSISTS: AS Hoyes, Connor, VanOrder. SAVES: SM - Roeble 10; AS - McCoy 3. SHOTS: SM - 3; AS - 15. CORNERS: SM - 1; AS - 7.

SEVERN 3, CATHOLIC 2: Ryan Bathras scored two goals to lead the Admirals to a victory in the IAAM B Conference quarterfinals. Abbie Ritter also scored for Severn, while Brooke Sulerzyski had two assists - both on Bathras' goals - and McKenzie Carroll also had an assist on Ritter's. Rachel Hough made three saves against six shots to propel the Admirals into the semifinals, where they will face Bryn Mawr.

Catholic 2 0 - 2

Severn (9-9) 2 1 - 3

GOALS: SE - Bathras 2, Ritter; C - Longo, Siejack. ASSISTS: SE - Sulerzyski 2, Carroll. SAVES: C - Woodworth 6; SE - Hough 3. SHOTS: C - 6; SE - 13. CORNERS: C - 4; SE - 8.

KEY 3, BETH TFILOH 2: Caileigh Feldman scored a goal and added an assist to carry the Obezags into the IAAM C Conference semifinals. Jenny Harding opened the scoring, and Feldman added her goal to give Key a 2-0 lead at the half. Mackenzie Phillips provided the assist on Feldman's goal.

Kate Kirby added a goal in the second half off an assist from Jessica Greenwald. Key meets Annapolis Area Christian School in the semifinals tomorrow.

Beth Tfiloh 0 2 - 2

Key (7-5) 2 1 - 3

GOALS: K - Harding, Feldman, Kirby. ASSISTS: K - Feldman, Phillips, Greenwald. SAVES: BT - Kilmar 9; K - Finch 6. SHOTS: BT - 9; K - 15. CORNERS: BT - 2; K - 0.

AACS 9, CHEN 1: Brittany Dunne, Eleanor Grammas and Katie Kinsey each scored two goals to power the Eagles. Hulsey Cooper also had a score for AACS, which put 20 shots on goal.

CHEN 0 1 - 1

AACS (16-2-1) 5 4 - 9

GOALS: C - Jent; AC - Dunne 2, Grammas 2, Kinsey 2, Cooper, Gierl. ASSISTS: AC - Gierl 2, Holt, Stein. SAVES: AC - Kilby 4, Hall 3. SHOTS: C - 5; AC - 20. CORNERS: C - 1; AC - 2.