Martyrs-Collegio Brasiliano Recap
Building on its recent soccer success, the North American Martyrs opened its fourth season in Clericus Cup play with a shootout victory over Collegio Brasiliano. The match – held on the Oratorio San Pietro’s homey Field B – was played in spurts, starting and stopping as players sought vainly for precious space.
What was lacking in ease and flow, however, was made up for in drama. Returning to the Clericus Cup after finishing second in last year’s edition, the Martyrs were pitted against striker John Kalevski, a Brazilian Basilian who found a soccer home last year on the Martyrs side, rewarding the NAC’s collaboration with 11 goals in 10 games. With the match knotted in a 0-0 tie for most of the competition, each touch of the ball by Kalevski held tangible weight. In the end, though, the Martyrs defense anchored by Sweeper David Santos ’12 (Newark) and New Man Goalkeeper Daniel Gallagher ’13 (Pittsburgh) proved too stout, stifling Kalevski and his Brazilian band throughout.
After a scoreless first half that provided more fouls than scoring chances, the Martyrs returned to the pitch, trusting that an opportunity would come. And come it would in the form of second half substitute Chris Seiler ’13 (St. Louis). Smoothing some of the rough edges of the the Martyrs’ attack, Seiler’s presence was quickly felt. With two minutes remaining in regulation, Seiler served up a corner kick that fellow New Man John Gibson ’13 (Milwaukee) buried into the goal with a header. The vocal Martyrs’ cheering section – which included Captain America, Batman, and Uncle Sam – erupted with cries of victory.
The shouts, however, were short-lived. Aided by two free kicks, the Brazilians quickly moved the ball into the attacking zone. The second free kick – struck from just outside of the goalie box – weaved its way through the Martyrs’ defense. Deflecting off of Goalkeeper Gallagher’s hands, the ball found its way to the awaiting foot of Brazilian Markos Zubyk, who leveled the score at 1-1. With the final whistle sounding just moments later, a shootout loomed.
Shootouts are not uncommon for the Martyrs, with its berth in last year’s finals even secured through the dramatic one-on-one contest. Success is measured primarily by the skill and daring of a team’s goalie, and while Gallagher certainly had shown both qualities, he still was untested by Clericus Cup standards. After Jeff Eirvin ’12 (Portland, OR) netted the Martyrs’ first shot, Gallagher had his coming-of-age moment, staring down Kalevski from 10 meters. Athletically and accurately, Gallagher anticipated the Brazilian’s right corner shot, gathering it as it approached the goal line. Later with the Martyrs clinging to a 4-3 shoot-out lead, Gallagher again stood comfortably in the spotlight. Unblinking, he deflected wide the attempt from Brazilian Captain Lima Edson De Oliveira, securing the victory and sending the already raucous cheering section into celebration-mode.
The Martyrs will attempt to continue its winning ways Saturday, 27 February at 9 a.m. against Pontificio Collegio San Paolo.
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