Arvada – The defensive back line of second-ranked St. Mary’s Academy was willing to play Faith Christian straight up Wednesday afternoon.
It took the Eagles about 14 minutes to change all that.
Third-ranked Faith Christian used its speed to get behind the Wildcats’ defenders, blitzing them for two early goals to set up a comfortable 3-0 Class 3A Metropolitan League victory.
Speedy junior forward Marissa Ranberger led the home team with two assists and her deflected shot was responsible for Kathleen Paulsen’s opening goal.
“That’s something I’ve known,” Ranberger said of her speed. “I might not necessarily have the skill, but …”
Wink, wink.
Ranberger might have bagged a hat trick if not for seven saves by Wildcats goalie Katie Bell.
Instead, Ranberger had to settle for assisting on goals by Sarah Jones in the 13th minute and Kelsey Sinclair’s header that salted it away in the 71st minute.
Faith Christian (11-2, 8-1 Metro League) won its seventh straight game, shutting out the opposition for the third consecutive game and seventh time this season to snap the Wildcats’ (7-3-1, 4-2-1) three-game winning streak.
“In the first 10 minutes, we were trying to figure out what they were doing and by the time we did, it was 2-0,” St. Mary’s Academy coach Dan Weiss said.
Added Wildcats captain Jackie Kruger: “We never gave up.”
The Eagles were able to keep the Wildcats on their heels throughout the first half, forcing the visitors to dedicate more bodies to the defense, which took the teeth out of any counterattack.
After two saves by Bell on Ranberger in the opening three minutes of the second half, the Wildcats began to maintain enough possession to put the Eagles on the defensive. Bell’s first save led to the opening goal as she blocked Ranberger’s breakaway attempt. The rebound fell to Paulsen just outside the penalty area and she hit a looping shot that slipped over the retreating goalie.
Ranberger set up the second goal six minutes later when she outran Jill Knapp down the right side and fired a centering pass into the box for Jones to redirect into the goal.
St. Mary’s Academy 0 0 – 0
Faith Christian 2 1 – 3
Goals – Paulsen (unassisted), 7th minute; Jones (Ranberger), 13th; Sinclair (Ranberger), 71st. Shots on goal – St. Mary’s Academy 2-2 – 4; Faith Christian 5-5 – 10. Saves – St. Mary’s Academy (Bell) 3-4 – 7; Faith Christian (Zevenbergen) 2-2 – 4. Offsides – St. Mary’s Academy 0-0 – 0; Faith Christian 2-1 – 3. Corner kicks – St. Mary’s Academy 0-2 – 2; Faith Christian 0-1 – 1. Fouls – St. Mary’s Academy 4-5 – 9; Faith Christian 6-2 – 8.
