Defending MIAA A Conference soccer champion Mount St. Joseph remains in the battle for the league’s top playoff seed, following a 2-1 win over Archbishop Spalding, on the road Thursday night.
Playing on Spalding’s old natural grass field because of rennovations to the track in the new stadium, the Gaels (12-3-1, 9-3-1) broke on top with one goal in each half and held off the host Cavaliers, after Spalding moved within one with 15 minutes to play.
Joey Isaja scored, beating a defender and firing a quick shot, following a Ryan Daily free kick in the opening half. Adam Gracia then made it 2-0 when he converted a flick-on from Nick Buric. Spalding’s goal came off a nice corner play which was finished by Alex Critzos.
The Gaels, who conclude their regular season at Calvert Hall on Thursday night, will now become big Spalding fans. The Cavaliers will host the Greyhounds on Thursday afternoon. If the Gaels can win and get some help from both Spalding and Loyola, which plays McDonogh, they could finish in first place.
St. Joe and McDonogh each have 28 points, one behind Gilman’s 29. St. Joe also needs to win to hold back Calvert Hall, which remains alive for a second-seed with 25 points. The top two seeds will receive first round byes and home games in the semifinals. The third and fourth seeds will host quarterfinals games next Tuesday.
