BELMONT — No. 8 Belmont defeated No. 9 Central Catholic, 2–0, within the Spherical of 16 of the MIAA Division 1 Women Soccer Match on Monday night.
The Raiders (10–2–1) entered the matchup contemporary off a commanding 6–0 win over Attleboro within the preliminary spherical. The host Marauders (14–2–2) additionally carried momentum after a 2–0 victory in opposition to Framingham final Thursday.
Each of Belmont’s objectives got here from senior striker Danica Zicha, who continued her standout season.
“That is my senior yr enjoying within the event — it’s one and carried out, so I’m going to present it my all,” Zicha mentioned. “Everybody’s giving it their all. The climate wasn’t nice, however I attempted to make use of it to my benefit, preserving my photographs low and simply pushing by means of. We had so many probabilities, and it confirmed.”
Zicha opened the scoring simply two minutes into the match, giving Belmont early management. She struck once more halfway by means of the primary half — her thirty fifth aim of the season — off an help from sophomore Mackenzie Tierney, doubling the Marauders’ lead.
“She got here into this sport very hungry,” mentioned fourth-year head coach Jemmy Cange. “She’s been out the previous two years, and immediately she performed on one other degree. Every part goes by means of her, and he or she simply retains preventing from the primary minute to the final.”
Regardless of the on-and-off downpour, Belmont maintained strain all through the sport. Tierney created a number of sturdy scoring alternatives, whereas goalkeepers Martha Timas and Ruth Christensen mixed for a shutout efficiency. Christensen, who entered within the second half, made a number of key saves to protect the clear sheet.
Central Catholic generated possibilities of their very own, together with a close-range shot from Lucy Irwin with 26 minutes left, however Belmont’s protection held agency by means of the final minutes of the sport.
The Marauders advance to the quarterfinals, the place they are going to face top-seeded Needham.
“Needham’s an ideal staff, however we’re not apprehensive,” Cange mentioned. “We have now a sport plan — we’ve caught to all of it season, and it’s gotten us right here. They’re No. 1 for a motive, however we’re prepared for the problem, and I’m excited for the match.”
Central Catholic concludes its season at 10–2–1, whereas Belmont strikes on in pursuit of a spot within the state semifinals
