GLOBE SOUTH
Spellman hungers for state title run
Senior-laden team is unbeaten, untied after eight games
PHOTOS BY BARRY CHIN/GLOBE STAFF
Cardinal Spellman is off to an 8-0 start. Clockwise from top left: Ryan Walsh (12) attacks; Nick Keddie (7) battles for the ball; Chris Conrad, Walsh, and Nick DeLuca (5) celebrate a DeLuca goal; and the team shows its unity.
Chris Conrad was not sure what was on the horizon when he transferred to Cardinal Spellman his sophomore year. He had played varsity soccer as a freshman at West Bridgewater Middle-High School, but he wanted a change of schools.
The Cardinals promptly went undefeated in the Catholic Central League and captured the Division 3 South title.
The team is like a brotherhood,’’ said Conrad, a 6-foot-1 striker who has scored a team-leading 16 goals this season. “We’re all brothers on the team. We all play as one.’’
The 17-year-old Conrad played goalie until he was 12, but a year later, sick of playing in the net, he moved up front.
It was a good move.
Conrad plays for the MPS Crusaders and the prestigious Olympic Development Program state team, along with the regional pool team. He uses his explosive speed and ball handling skills to blow by defenders, while his height allows him to win battles in the air.
“He’s very strong and very fast,’’ said Cardinal Spellman coach Michael Gerrish. “He’s strong enough that he doesn’t lose control of the ball.
“He’s got tremendous touch. If he needs a hard touch he’s got it, a soft touch he’s got it too,’’ added the coach. “Goal scorers have to have a lot of poise with the ball. They need to know just to touch it rather than ripple the back of the net strings and he does that really well. He can score in a lot of different ways.’’
In the back, the Cardinals lean on Witherbee, a four-year starter at sweeper from East Bridgewater.
“I knew I just wanted to play when I came to Spellman,’’ he said. “I thought I’d be on JV but I didn’t care, I just wanted to play. I worked hard and it paid off.’’
Although Witherbee is not a goal scorer, his presence on the field is profound. With his skills and speed, he wins battles against opposing forwards.
Taylor could easily play up,’’ said Gerrish. “We’ve had him up before, but it makes a huge difference in the back. He’s that valuable piece in the back of your defense that makes the defense that much better.’’
The Cardinals allowed just two goals in their first eight games, one against Arlington Catholic and another against St. Mary’s.
“Bottom line is you have to keep people off the scoreboard and with Taylor back there we’ve done that,’’ said Gerrish.
Witherbee has enjoyed the entire journey the last four years.
“We work hard but at the same time we’re victorious in the end,’’ he said. “It’s good working and getting to the goal we make at the beginning of the year. We’re like a family. We all play hard for each other.’’
Walsh (seven goals, four assists this season), a senior captain from Weymouth, is also a major contributor.
His latest goal came Wednesday, when he launched into the air and connected on a header off a throw-in from Keddie.
Walsh attributes this year’s success to experience.
“I know how our system works,’’ he said. “That’s why I think we’re so strong this year. We’ve all grown up through it and gotten to know it. Us three captains have all been together since freshman year.’’
Keddie, a senior, brings aggressiveness and relentless energy. He had one goal and four assists against St. Mary’s, setting a fast tempo for the game.
“Nick plays hard everyday with such passion,’’ said Gerrish of the center midfielder. “He has endless energy and can run forever. He control’s a lot of flow of play. He’s relentless, you can’t shake him.’’
A two-year captain, Keddie said his sophomore season was his favorite.
“We made it to the state semifinals that year and went undefeated until then,’’ said the 5-8 Keddie. “I just love playing soccer. I love how quick and energizing everything is.’’
Gerrish said that Keddie plays a major role even when he’s not scoring.
“Nick has tremendous throw-ins for us,’’ said Gerrish. Three of the Cardinals five goals against St. Mary’s came off of his throws.
It’s the last chance for the Spellman seniors to win a state title.
“Playing the game and moving around is the best part of soccer. It’s a game where you play as a team and bond It’s the greatest game on earth,’’ said Walsh. “Soccer is so athletic you have to be moving all the time. You have to be thinking all the time. You don’t stop. It’s almost more mental than physical.’’
He added, “Our goal is to make it far into the tournament but we have to work game by game to do that, not looking far ahead.’’
No comments:
Post a Comment