WASHINGTON, D.C. — Catholic got back to winning ways at home on Tuesday night with an emphatic 3-0 win over Randolph-Macon.
The Cardinals found the back of the net less than two minutes into the match and did not look back, scoring with their first three shots on target.
The opening tally was built out of hard work and attacking quality by Kwaku Marfo-Sarbeng who forced the Yellow Jacket defense into a mistake and made them pay the ultimate price. After losing the ball, Marfo-Sarbeng's high press forced a poor ball, which he chased down and recovered. After playing through contact and two potential fouls, he set up Gordie Bernlohr who produced a brilliant left-footed, sliding finish to net his first goal of the season.
Goalkeeper Owen Allegro made his first save of the night in the 20th minute when, following a throw-in, Evan Matheny connected well from just outside the box. The freshman sprung athletically to his left to parry the attempt to safety.
Just six minutes later, Bernlohr struck again. The move forward was all started by a brilliant tackle from outside back Liam Giblin in the defensive third. After the ball found Bernlohr in the center circle, he connected with his strike-partner Marfo-Sarbeng, whose cross should have been easily dealt with by the Randolph-Macon defender. However, the ball got stuck between the defender's feet, and after it popped loose, Bernlohr was first to react, beating Zach Fontenot with a kiss off the inside of the post.
Catholic put the game out of reach in the 39th minute when Seth Michalak scored his first collegiate goal. The freshman was sprung through by a brilliant ball over the top from Lorenzo Carletti. Michalak won the race to the ball on the edge of the penalty area, and after using his first touch to evade the only local defender, he fired a controlled, left-footed finish high into the roof of the net past the on-rushing goalkeeper.
Allegro made a second fine save in the 56th minute when he dove to his left to claw out an effort that was sneaking inside the far post. Sophomore Daniel Ferrer relieved Allegro, who earned his first career clean sheet, in the 76th minute and also made two saves.
Bernlohr came close to his hat trick in the 60th minute when he came free following a failed attacking free kick. A recycled ball into the center found the senior but the goalkeeper finally got the better of Bernlohr, forcing him to settle for a brace on the night.
Travis Beauchamp used 30 players in the win as Michael Gaughan made his first appearance of the campaign and Azaria Tewodros featured for the first time in his Catholic career.
The Cardinals will now travel to Richmond for the Simms/Flowers Classic. Catholic will face Emory on Friday evening (5 p.m.) before a Sunday afternoon contest against Hampden-Sydney at 4 p.m. Both matches in the tournament hosted by the Tigers will be played at City Stadium, home of USL One side Richmond Kickers.
