Zito's Header Lifts Severna Park Over Arundel, 1-0

did what few have done in the Severna Park and Arundel boy's soccer rivalry: he scored a goal.

With only nine minutes, thirty seconds left to play, Zito connected on a Charlie Smith free kick and headed in the game winner on Tuesday, top defeat the visiting Wildcats.

"We just kept putting them in and we knew we'd get one," Zito said.

In the 2010 edition of this rivalry, the two sides battled to a scoreless tie in regular season play.

"Obviously, [we're] not happy with the result," Arundel coach Mike McCarron said. "We've got some things to work on."

Last year, the Falcons were the only team Arundel failed to defeat. The two teams drew in the regular season before Severna Park ousted the Wildcats from the playoff. The Falcons scored twice on set pieces in those games. 

"It's a big area we need to work on," Mike McCarron said about his team's ability to defend those situations.

A slow start nearly cost the Wildcats, who saw senior defender Clayton Murphy clear a ball off the goal-line after six minutes of play.

Chances continued for the host Falcons, but nothing came of them.

Arundel's best look came from a long-distance strike by senior defender Aaron Callahan. His shot curled for the upper corner of the goal, but lacked the pace to beat Severna Park goalie Jon Neseth.

A foul by Logan McCarron put the Falcons in striking distance, but the resulting free kick smashed off the wall and the opportunity was lost.

After the halftime break, the Falcons came out firing.

Midfielder Paul Balleza ripped a close-range shot off the chest of Arundel goalie Tyler Wilson, who was forced to make a diving save on Austin Spence effort shortly there after.

The Wildcats did show signs of life. Fifteen minutes into the second half, Logan McCarron and Keith Grassel threatened to break the deadlock but neither could get off a shot inside the box.

Falcon freshman Daniel Kwon nearly put away two consecutive chances, only to be denied by Wilson. A cross from Spence was headed right at the keeper, who then stoned Kwon on a close-range shot.

Severna Park finally broke through when Smith's free kick found the head of Zito, who placed the header low to the near corner, away from the outstretched arms of Wilson.

"[It was] a lack of focus for the entire team," Wilson said about conceding the late goal. "If you let a team hang around, they end up coming back in the end,"

For the second time in their last two meetings, a set piece was Arundel's undoing.

"That's when we were the most dangerous. I had a feeling we would knick one and we did," Severna Park coach Roy Dunshee said.

The hosts then bunkered down, preventing any late scores from Arundel and eventually held on to the 1-0 win.

Severna Park (1-0) 0 1 - 1

Arundel (0-1) 0 0 - 0

- - -

Moreno and Walker Help Severna Park Sink Arundel, 2-0

Playing without starting goalkeeper Kara Grosbach, the Lady Wildcats were beaten by a pair highlight goals from Severna Park on Tuesday night.

"We definitely started off very flat, I'd say probably the first 20-25 minutes," Arundel coach Laura Coe said.

Ten minutes into the first-half, a free kick by the Falcon's Gabby Moreno opened the scoring. From 25 yards out, her shot dipped just under the bar and just above the gloves of Jess Muir.

Muir started in place of Grosbach, who was out with the flu.

"Gabby hit a beautiful free kick," Severna Park coach Todd Clark said.

Arundel's best chance to equalize came in the second half on a through ball from midfielder Clarissa Kirsch-Downs. She fed captain Carly Keer toward goal, the senior Wildcat slipped her shot underneath goalkeeper Lexi Cavey, but was whistled for offsides.

The Falcons doubled their efforts after 57 minutes of play when sophomore Abby Walker struck a half-volley over Muir for the 2-0 lead.

"We got it served in. The ball bounced around a little bit, but Abby was right there and cleaned it up. [She] put it right back on goal, it was a beautiful shot," Clark said.

Severna Park nearly added another as time expired. Junior forward Ryan Bathras was sprung free toward goal, she near-post effort was denied by Muir though.

"I think we controlled the run of play. The girls played really well today," Clark said.

Severna Park (1-0) 1 1 - 2

Arundel (0-1) 0 0 - 0