Coming off the program’s first unbeaten season, defending Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference champion Loyola Blakefield soccer has a challenging act to follow this year.
If Wednesday’s performance is any indication, it’s more than primed.
Looking as if they picked right up from last year’s title game win, the No. 1 Dons scored early and often in rolling to a 7-0 home victory over No. 5 Archbishop Spalding in their league opener.
Last year’s All-Metro Player of the Year Dan Klink scored two first-half goals and All-Metro pick Sammie Walker added three second-half goals in a complete team win. Defender Ryan Andrews, moving to center back after playing outside last season, keyed the shutout.
Even in the season opener, the sensational play wasn’t a major surprise for first-year Loyola coach Geaton Caltabiano.
“It’s a really mature senior group that has won before, so they’ve been waiting for this through preseason and they came out and took care of business,” he said. “It’s a group with a lot of leadership, a lot of seniors, and it’s exciting.”
After Cal Lackner opened the scoring in the ninth minute, the Dons’ second goal — Klink’s first coming 10 minutes into play — best displayed their quality form.
Andrews settled a ball at midfield and sent a long pass to the left flank for Mike Leming, who delivered a precise cross at the 6-yard mark for Klink to head home.
“I couldn’t ask for a better ball from Mike, it was a great assist. I couldn’t tell you how many times we’ve practiced that, getting crosses into the box and he executed it perfectly,” said Klink, who made it 3-0 with two seconds left in the first half. “We had a lot of excitement going into this game with a new coach, some new guys, and it was really exciting to come out and show our fans, our student section, what we were all about.”
Andrews is optimistic that the Dons can maintain the lofty standard last year’s championship team set.
“We just have to stay disciplined — we have the players to go back-to-back,” he said. “I’m really proud of my guys today with a 7-0 win. I think it was a great way to set the tone.”
The Cavaliers (0-2) graduated 14 seniors and seven starters from last year’s team that reached the conference semifinals. Their midfield glue, Eli Knight, is also sidelined with an injury. Spalding started better in the second half, creating its best scoring chance in the opening minute and holding its own before Walker started his scoring spree at the midway point.
Spalding coach Fred Sporrer remains encouraged as his young group learns on the go as it tries to carve out its identity. Maxing out on training sessions and coming ready to play from the start will be emphasized.
“We had a lot of nerves early on in the first half and then we settled in and started to play a little bit in the second half,” he said. “So it’s a young group with a couple players missing and that’s probably the best team in the conference.”
Spalding hosts John Carroll at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Loyola looks to keep rolling when it travels to No. 2 McDonogh at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Eagles opened their season with a 4-3 home win against Archbishop Curley on Wednesday.
No. 1 Loyola Blakefield 7, No. 5 Spalding 0
Goals: LB — Walker 3, Klink 2, Lackner, Sharpe.
Assists: LB — Wnek, Leming, Lackner, Toure, Parravano
Saves: AS — Skelton 7; LB — Mattingly 2
Half: LB, 3-0
