Sage still behind Tartans

NEWPORT COAST — There are myriad reasons to point at as to why the Sage Hill School girls’ soccer team lost to Academy League rival St. Margaret’s, 3-0, Friday.

The Lightning (7-8-2, 4-2 in league) have been in the midst of finals all week, which means, as the school requires, only one-hour optional practices instead of the normal mandatory two.

Also, Sage Hill Coach Amy Ray said the level of competition in the league makes it difficult for her team to prepare through games for perennial powers like St. Margaret’s. In five games against the four other league teams, Sage Hill is 5-0, outscoring its opponents, 24-0.

“[St. Margaret’s] is the only competition we have in league,” Ray said. “There is not that good of competition. I wish our league was stronger.”

Are there more reasons? Definitely.

The Tartans are the defending CIF Southern Section Division VI champions, now ranked No. 2 in the division. St. Margaret’s has won the league title nine consecutive years and its definitive size advantage played a part against the smaller Lightning.

“We’re small, but we’re pretty feisty,” senior captain Emily Webb said.

But the Lightning left confident.

They narrowly lost at St. Margaret’s in overtime earlier in the season and believe they will make an impact in the CIF playoffs, even push further than last year’s run to the quarterfinals, where they lost to Maranatha, 2-1, on a goal in the final two minutes.

“We want to go all the way,” Webb said. “We’re up to that level. We’re still a great team.”

Ray said the biggest roadblock for the team is consistent play.

“We’re playing really well,” Ray said. “One issue is communicating and playing to each other’s feet. We need to play with heart for 80 or 100 minutes if it goes into overtime.”

The Lightning controlled the first 10 minutes of the game, peppering the Tartans’ goal with shots from juniors Jules McLaughlin and Sara Montazami.

But shortly afterward, St. Margaret’s got a breakaway off a counterattack and scored. The game was never the same.

“In the first 10 minutes we played great,” Ray said. “Then we had a letdown. We played a real physical game. I’m still proud of the girls. Once they scored our heads went down. It was a mental game after that. We just had spurts of great play.”

Senior Ali McLaughlin said it was a difficult loss for the Lightning, but the team is confident with the remainder of the season and playoffs.

“We did not play as well as last time,” McLaughlin said. “But everybody played with a lot of heart and vigor. We fought hard. I’m proud of everybody. St. Margaret’s has a lot of great players. I enjoy playing them. We just needed to connect a few more passes. In league, we’re doing well. We just lose to these guys.”

A major reason Sage Hill is maintaining confidence is freshman goalkeeper Hannah Macleod, who made seven saves and has nine shutouts this season. She was nervous in the beginning, having to yell at more established players, but has eased into her role with experience.

“The first couple of weeks, I was intimidated,” Macleod said. “Playing goalie you have to talk a lot. Now I’m comfortable with it.”

Midway through the first half, with the Lightning trailing, 1-0, Macleod made a diving then a leaping save in a matter of a minute.

“I just go for it,” she said. “I just put everything out there. I’m not intimidated by hard shots.”

Macleod said the loss to St. Margaret’s will not throw the team off track.

“We play really well whenever we play St. Margaret’s,” Macleod said. “We just need to keep playing out hardest.”

Ray added that Webb was the main reason St. Margaret’s did not score more goals with sophomore Brynne Quinlan playing strong defense as well.

“[Webb] always does a great job,” Ray said.