http://www.thestate.com/2012/05/13/2274292/gracious-in-victory-reborn-cards.htmlCardinal Newman’s 2012 girls soccer record will go on the books at 4-20.
But the Cardinals still are the reigning SCISA power after clinching their second straight Class 3A championship with a 2-0 win against Porter-Gaud on Saturday at Stone Stadium.
Cardinal Newman was informed late in the regular season that — unknowingly — it had been using an ineligible player and would have to forfeit all of its wins.
Given the situation, Cardinal Newman needed a helping hand to qualify for postseason play.
The aid came from Augusta Christian, which finished in fourth place ahead of the Cardinals in region play after the two forfeit wins were factored in. But the Lions graciously declined the playoff invitation, opening up the final spot in the bracket for the Cardinals.
“It was a classy thing for Augusta Christian to do,” Cardinal Newman athletics director Jeff DiBattisto said.
Given the reprieve, the Cardinals played like champions in the playoffs — posting three straight shutout victories.
“We’ve been really motivated to win a second championship all season, but the way things came down late in the season made winning it again even sweeter than the first one,” said sophomore Ashley Brown, who scored one goal in each of the three playoff wins.
Brown’s goal broke the ice in the 29th minute — a header of a deftly lofted pass into the box from the left side by Catherine Onate.
Senior Sophie Cobb put it away with a score in the 57th minute — a shot from 12 yards out on the right side that slipped through the arms of Porter-Gaud keeper Annie Hay at the near post.
“Once we were sure we were going to be in the playoffs, I was confident that we would do well,” first-year Cardinals coach Kathleen Pollard said. “This is a talented team with a lot of soccer experience. In the playoffs, it comes down to converting your scoring chances, and we did it enough in these three games.”
Porter-Gaud’s best chances came early in the first half, but the Cyclones — who made it to the finals for the first time in 10 years — had two shots hit iron.
Helen McCullough beat Cardinal Newman keeper Molly Rainwater in the 16th minute, but the shot harmlessly bounced off the right post. Four minutes later, Tahirih Nesmith was in perfect position to head in a corner kick, but the shot skipped over the cross bar.