Cardinals down Shamrocks
April 1, 2008 • Girls Soccer
Story and Photos by Mike Maddock

Cardinal Newman's Kasey Nunn gets by Eau Claire's Candace Brown.

Eau Claire head girls' soccer coach Jorge Casanovas has a challenge. His Shamrock program is in its first season and only one of his eleven players listed on the roster has experience in organized soccer. There's also the challenge of balancing soccer with school and work schedules. Many of his players have jobs forcing them to miss practice and, sometimes, games. Compare that with the Cardinal Newman program that visited Eau Claire Tuesday, April 1.

Many of the Cardinals grew up with soccer in leagues such as Columbia United and others. Their roster is 20 strong and the Cardinals look to compete for a region title in 2008. They finished fourth in SCISA last year and were a penalty kick away from winning it all in 2006. This season they already have wins over 4A Hartsville and 3A A.C. Flora.

Cardinal head coach Steve Berzins played one starter, goalkeeper Amy Kolowsky, for about 12 minutes of Tuesday's contest and beat the fledgling Shamrocks 10- 0. Eighth grader Mary Katherine Hall started the scoring a little over three minutes in when her corner kick bounced off Eau Claire's Candace Brown and into the net. Hall scored a more conventional goal 13 minutes later. Taylor Evans had three goals including a half- field bomb that surprised everyone including Evans. Anna Ruth Zubizarreta, Lexi Broadrick, Morgan Darby, Kasey Nunn, and Julie Davies each scored a goal for the Cardinals who took no more real shots the last 30 minutes of the game.

Eau Claire's Sabrina Johnson passes while Cardinal Newman's Morgan Darby defends.

Despite the mismatch, the Shamrocks played hard to the final whistle. Tiffany Castellano, Shakeya Griffin, and Sabrina Johnson all had opportunities to score, but just could not break through.

The Shamrocks have yet to win this season, but they have scored in two games. That fact and the obvious enthusiasm from the players gives Casanovas reason for optimism.