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Sports

Flint Hill Falls to Cathedral in Season Opener

NCS scored in the second half, upsetting the Huskies

The Flint Hill Huskies stormed out of the halftime break in Tuesday night’s matchup against a highly touted National Cathedral team determined to pull off the improbable upset.

After playing the first half fairly even, Flint Hill dominated the first 15 minutes of the period with dominant possession and a barrage of shots. However, missed opportunities came back to haunt the Huskies as Nathional Cathedral scored the game’s only goal with 12 minutes remaining.

“We’re still very happy with our performance, no question,” head coach Cory Hanks said afterward. “This is an opponent who was nationally ranked last year, so to be in such a tight game and have a lot of chances is great for us.”

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The teams opened up the game very conservatively, as most the play occurred between the penalty boxes, as neither team were able to secure possession of create a solid chance on goal. Cathedral nearly stunned Flint Hill at the end of the half with a string of passes leading to a tap in goal, but the goal scorer was flagged for offsides.

“Honestly, I think it was jitters,” Hanks admitted. “They beat us 6-2 last season, and I think that affected our ability to finish opportunities.”

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Opportunities were abundant early in the second half as junior midfielder Marlo Sweatman came on strong, slicing through the defense and finding teammates for shots on goal. Freshman Madison Crowe thought she was on for the goal in the opening minute of the half, but was also ruled barely offsides.

With pressure building, Cathedral resorted to clearing the ball, but the tenacity and composure of Paige Lloyd and Hannah Donegan allowed Flint Hill to win the vast majority of the 50/50 balls, playing them back in to the box for a series of shots on goal. Sweatman nearly struck from 35 yards out, but her shot sailed just wide of the upper 90.

“We’re starting out the year really focusing on the first ten minutes of each half,” head coach Corey Hanks explained. “From there we will look to build on that for the first twenty minutes then thirty… until we’re playing at a high level all game.”

Unfortunately for the Huskies, the opening 15 minutes of dominant play did not produce a goal, and as Cathedral gather themselves play began to even out. Cathedral nearly got the opener against the run of play midway through the half, but a streaking Donegan was able to get back and stop the break away. 

Cathedral pushed on a were finally able to get behind the defense and although senior keeper Gracie Carter made a great save on the initial shot, the round for the back of the net for the game winner. 

“To play so competitively in this game will give us a lot of confidence moving forward,” Hanks added. “We lost our scrimmages against two of the best teams in the area, but that is why we play tough scrimmages, so we can be ready for games like this.”

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