Not only did top-ranked McDonogh reinforce its position this weekend as the premier soccer program in the metro area, but it also made a strong argument for being regarded as the best team in the nation.
One day after knocking off nationally ranked Germantown Academy (Pa.) in the McDonogh Adidas Invitational, the host Eagles put away another nationally ranked team in Sidwell Friends (D.C.), 1-0, on Saturday. Sophomore Logan McHugh scored late in the first half for the Eagles, ranked second in the ESPN Rise poll.
Marquez Fernandez, last year's Baltimore Sun Player of the Year, was injured in a collision 12 minutes into the game and taken to the hospital for chest X-rays after walking off the field. His status for Wednesday's game against Mount St. Joseph, No. 2 in The Sun poll, is uncertain.
"I thought we dominated, but we weren't sharp emotionally," McDonogh coach Steve Nichols said. "A couple of times we tried to look too cute."
The first poll by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America will be released Tuesday.
The Eagles (4-0) were rarely threatened by Sidwell Friends - ranked No. 22 in the Rise poll - and spent most of the game methodically building their attack. The defenders played long balls across the field and the midfielders and forwards were effective in creating space for themselves with diagonal runs.
McDonogh was finally rewarded with just under five minutes left in the first half when McHugh timed his run past a defender, collected a square pass from Ryan Kennedy and slotted the ball into the corner from 10 yards.
"We really stepped it up these two games and I think it is going to be a really great season now," McHugh said. "This [tournament] really helped us out and taught us how to work."
McDonogh had several chances to increase its lead in the second half, but could not find a finishing touch. Mamadou Kansaye almost made Sidwell Friends pay off a poor clear, but his shot from 25 yards went just wide when goalie Seth MacMillan (eight saves) was caught off his line.
No. 3 Archbishop Curley 3, Germantown Academy 2: : The Friars might have also played themselves into a national poll with a strong showing in the tournament. Curley (1-0-1) tied Sidwell Friends on Friday and outplayed No. 17 Germantown Academy on Saturday.
Friars forward Mikias Teketele created havoc for the defenders and opened the scoring just six minutes into the game. Aaron Beale then scored two goals in 23 minutes to give the Friars a 3-1 lead at the half.
Colin Skelly pulled Germantown to within a goal with 18 minutes left in the game, but Curley weathered several other attacks to seal the victory.
