Sailors Sunk by Sunshine Soccer Rivals

Some teams just have your number. 

When it comes to girls soccer in the Sunshine League, may be starting to feel that way about Notre Dame Academy. 

The teams tied 1-1 in their first meeting at Marymount, each side scoring on a set piece, and despite dominating play early in Thursday afternoon's rematch the Sailors were unable to climb back from a two-goal deficit and lost 2-1 at Aviation Field to the defending Southern Section Division 5 champions.

Even though Marymount tied and beat the Regals last year on its way to winning the Sunshine League title, it was Notre Dame Academy that went on to win CIF and this was a chance at payback for the Sailors.

“We started pretty good and after that we just couldn’t score goals,” Sailors head coach said. “Effort was great I thought but we just couldn’t execute."

After spotting the host Regals a two-goal lead in the second half Marymount managed to halve its deficit just as the game was ticking into injury time. came swooping in on a well-played cross from and clinically tapped the ball into the back of the net.

“She came in from the corner and crossed the ball,” Hiedewohl said. “And I ran in at the same time and just managed to get it in the last minute."

Marymount (14-3-2 overall, 4-1-2 in league) nearly scored in the opening minute when 's shot elicited a save from Notre Dame Academy goalkeeper Julissa Sanchez. Three minutes later, the Sailors were awarded a free kick on a foul at the edge of the 18-yard box. got off a shot that was headed goalward but Sanchez again made the save.

Notre Dame Academy (10-5-2 overall, 4-1-1 league) took the lead five minutes into the second half when Regals playmaker Melissa Lafranchi lofted the ball into the penalty area for Annie Cipiti, who headed it between Marymount goalkeeper and the near post.

Notre Dame Academy junior Maggie Miller doubled her team's lead in the 64th minute when she connected on a well-placed free kick from Lafranchi and tapped the ball into the back of the net from close range.

While the Regals' first goal seemed to temporarily stun the Sailors, the second one jarred the visitors back into contending form. As the game moved into the final 15 minutes of regulation, Marymount began to attack relentlessly.

The Sailors' aggression nearly paid off in the 70th minute when Gigg broke down the right flank and blasted a shot that ricocheted off the crossbar to DeSantis, whose rebound shot also hit the post.

“As you could see we hit the post twice,“ Green said.

Two minutes later, the Sailors were awarded a corner kick and looked to have scored when the ball fell to the feet of , whose shot crossed the goal line before Sanchez caught it. However, the offside whistle had been blown and the goal was not allowed.

Eight minutes later Hiedewohl swept in to score her dramatic goal in the final 60 seconds of regulation, which set the stage for an intense four minutes of injury time. Marymount pressed for an equalizer and the Regals dug in and defended.  Unfortunately for the Sailors when the final whistle was blown the home team emerged with their lead intact. 

Green said his team's comeback was  too little, too late.

“We should’ve been playing that way the first 10 minutes," Green said. "But you know, that’s soccer. You take the good with the bad. We were unlucky, that’s what happens.”

Marymount’s next game is  Tuesday at Immaculate Heart.