Holley ends Cal-Mum’s season, with a 1-0 victory in Sectional play. (File Photo)
CALEDONIA — In the opening round of Sectional playoffs Wednesday night, Holley edged out Cal-Mum, 1-0.
Each team had opportunities to pull ahead in the first half, but both goalies made some great saves to keep it scoreless. Junior keeper Jacob Andolora made two fantastic diving stops for the Red Raiders to bail out his defense.
Cal-Mum was able to control the ball for much of the early part of the second half, but were not able to capitalize on their opportunities.
It was not until the 56th minute that Holley finally netted a goal, when Hawks freshman defender Chris Balys caught Andolora out of position and scored from just outside the box to break the tie.
“They had the pressure on us and we couldn’t get it out of that end, and a nice play by number seven [Holley sophomore attacker Gabriel Mendoza], he got a nice cross in there,” Red Raiders head coach Chuck Martelle said.
Cal-Mum continued to create opportunities after the goal. In the 74th minute, senior midfielder Matt Condame found fellow senior Ryan Keenan streaking for a breakaway, but Keenan’s shot went just over the crossbar. Then, with two minutes to go, the Red Raiders were awarded a free kick from 20 yards out, but again could not find the net.
“We had the chances to win and we could have. You just gotta finish. They finished today, and we didn’t, so that was the difference,” Martelle said.
Cal-Mum finished the season at 7-8-2.