McDonogh midfielder Zoe Lilly-Vidal was around the ball a lot in the first half of Tuesday’s game against visiting Notre Dame Prep, bringing quality pace and creativity to set a strong tone for the Eagles.
With the game still scoreless well into the second half, the junior standout earned a reward.
Collecting a pass from forward Grace Hardway at the end line on the left side, Lilly-Vidal scored from in close, tucking a ball inside the near post to provide the home team with the needed breakthrough.
The goal, coming with 28 minutes left, was followed by sturdy defense as No. 8 McDonogh grinded out a 1-0 win over the No. 6 Blazers in Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference play.
McDonogh (6-3) improves to 2-1 in conference play, handing Notre Dame Prep (5-3-2, 2-2) its second straight conference setback.
In a conference that is filled with parity and tight games this season, working hard for opportunities and capitalizing is at a premium. The Eagles made sure on their best chance Tuesday.
Mia Orso won a header to get the ball to Hardway, who won space on the left before finding Lilly-Vidal. Staying poised and recognizing the opening, she was able to beat Blazers goalie Lydia itzoe at the near side.
“It was a lot of Grace. She’s been really helpful for us and I was able to get that ball from her and it was one-v-one and I just slotted it in,” Lilly-Vidal said. “It feels good. I just worry about winning the game and don’t really care about who scores. At the end of the day, it’s more about getting the those three points. So it was good to get that goal and this is an important game and a big rivalry, so it was nice.”
The Blazers showed urgency in chasing after the tying goal. They immediately earned a dangerous free kick from 20 yards out that Tess McCarthy got past the Eagles wall, but finished just over the crossbar.
With 16:15 to play, Taylor Gim hit a heavy shot from just outside the 18-yard mark that went off Eagles goalie Vivian Biggs’ fingertips and then hit the crossbar.
The defense held firm with center back Payton Salias and right back Parker Kitchel, who recently moved from the midfield to further bolster the unit, standing out. Biggs finished with three saves.
McDonogh coach Harry Canellakis appreciated the team effort, particularly applauding Lilly-Vidal’s contribution.
“Zoe had an incredible game and she deserved a goal,” he said. “In the first half, she was incredible with so much freedom in her play. She was creating overloads in different parts of the field with her movement, so, yeah, it was a very well deserved goal.”
While the Blazers had their share of possession time and made connections up the field, their inability to find the net continues to plague them.
“I don’t think we had enough shots on goal and you can’t score if you’re not taking shots,” said coach Albert Oni. “It’s been a challenge all season, so we just need to look to take more shots. It’s a mindset and we need to change and adapt.”
Both teams stay in conference play with home games on Friday — McDonogh hosting No. 7 Spalding at 4:15 p.m. and Notre Dame Prep taking on No. 12 John Carroll at 6 p.m.
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Goals: M — Lilly
Assists: M — Hardway
Saves: NDP — Itzoe 4; M — Biggs 3
Half: 0-0
