Second seeded Roland Park Country School scored in the final seconds of regulation, on Tuesday, to knock upset-minded St Johns Catholic Prep out of the IAAM B Conference soccer playoffs, as the Reds prevailed, 2-1.
After weathering a constant barrage of shots by RPCS, St Johns scored the first goal of the game midway through the first half, but the host Reds got the equalizer several minutes later. Senior captain Daniela Eppler tied the game at one with a stunning right footed volley that snuck right under the St Johns crossbar.
RPCS keeper Betsy Angel preserved the tie with four point blank saves in the second half, keeping the Reds in the fight. As the intensity grew, the game grew more physical, eventually resulting in a costly SJCP penalty at the top of its goal box, with less than one minute to play in regulation. Roland Park sophomore Nikki Hudson, who played the entire game extremely under the weather, hit a brilliant bending ball that cleared the wall and struck the crossbar. Fortunately for the Reds, the rebound found the foot of senior defender Catherine Mitchell, who snuck a shot through the goalmouth traffic, finding the corner of the goal, for the game winner.
RPCS will remain at home for Thursday’s semifinal round and host Severn on Thursday at 3:45 p.m. The Reds went on the road to knock off Severn 1-0 earlier this season
