With a quarter of its squad missing through injury and college visits, Friends School closed its boys soccer regular season campaign with an exciting 2-1 MIAA B Conference win over a determined St. Mary’s squad in Annapolis Friday evening.
Despite dominating possession in the first half, the Quakers struggled to find the net. Sophomores Jaime Batho and Cedric Charlier both had chances to give the Quakes a first half lead, but a hustling Saints’ defense kept the score knotted a 0-0 at halftime. In the second half, Friends continued to pressure, and got their breakthrough from the reliable boot of junior Nabil Odulate, who fired past the Saints’ ‘keeper from 12 yards after a jinking run from midfield.
The Saints answered with a goal of their own, 12 minutes later. A free kick from John Kluh caught the Quaker defense napping. Blinded by the sun, Friends’ freshman keeper William Frost failed to collect the through ball leaving Michael Bonacci with the simple task of firing into the net.
The Quakers had to weather a steady barrage of Saints’ pressure until 44 seconds from time. Friends sophomore, Connor Finn broke up a Saints’ attack and played a slide rule pass to Cedric Charlier in midfield. A probing run from Charlier ended with a precise through ball to Odulate who finished with authority.
