A number of players in the girls’ soccer team’s starting lineup missed the game against Cristo Rey on Thursday, March 19, resulting in a 6-3 loss.
“(The Saints) were not that impressive,” said freshman Nina Dym. “It was just our defense wasn’t that great.”
The Saints were ahead 4-0 by the end of the first half. In the second half, freshman Evann Rudek scored one goal and sophomore Natalie Brown two, but the Saints scored two more and won.
Sophomores Avneet Bhullar and Maryjane Garcia played defense for a change and were each hit in the stomach by the ball. Garcia and Bhullar sat out after getting hit.
“We got the winds knocked out of us,” Bhullar said. “It was quite painful.”
Missing players included juniors Emma Belliveau, Elinor Hilton and Julia Owaidat and sophomore Elizabeth Brownridge.
Belliveau had previously injured her foot in a game and was unable to play, but is expected to return after spring break. According to Bhullar, Belliveau plays a vital role as sweeper, the last defender, so the team had to readjust to play without her.
“It was an embarrassing game,” Bhullar said. “But we kept our heads up.”
Freshman Annya Dahmani, who broke her collarbone in the Cavs’ last game, did not attend the game. Dahmani will be in a splint and a sling for the next six weeks to three months, depending on the severity of the injury. Dahmani has met with doctors and said that she may need surgery if her injury gets worse, but it is unlikely.
The Cavs are not concerned about losing their skills over Spring Break.
“If we run and at least pass a ball around during the break, we’ll be able to stay in okay shape. When all the players are back and practicing together, we’ll be fine and be able to win,” freshman Lea Gorny said.
Coach George Champayne advised the girls to run every other day for at least 30 minutes during vacation and to sprint long distances. According to junior Aidan Galati, the girls usually follow Champayne’s advice.
The Cavs’ next game will be at home against John Adams Academy at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 10. Players will be dismissed at 3 p.m.
