Sometimes the bounces just don't go your way.
The Calvary/Tolton soccer team found that out the hard way Thursday evening as the Lions dropped a 2-0 decision to the Southern Boone junior-varsity squad at the 63 Sports Complex.
One tally came on a goalkeeper misplay and the other score came on an own goal by Calvary/Tolton.
"Any given Sunday kind of thing," Calvary/Tolton head coach Thomas Senter said. "They capitalized on opportunities. We certainly had more opportunities. It's just the finishing, the experience. I'm heavily loaded with freshmen. We're still working on gaining experience."
Calvary/Tolton did have the majority of the chances, holding a 19-9 edge in shots and 5-2 advantage in shots on goal.
"We had some misfortune as far as finishing, and I think that had to do with a lot of personnel problems with injuries and such," Senter said. "I only had two subs today."
Southern Boone scored seven minutes into the contest when Patrick Mensing lofted a seemingly harmless long ball from near midfield toward the goal. The ball took a bounce and then slipped through the hands of the Calvary/Tolton goalkeeper and into the net to make it 1-0.
Southern Boone was awarded a penalty kick just two minutes later following a handball in the box. The shot was sent over the goal, keeping it a one-goal game.
Calvary/Tolton then gifted Southern Boone with another goal 33 minutes into the opening period. Adam Burgoon sent a cross into the box off a free kick from the left side that a Calvary/Tolton player met with a clearance attempt. The ball spun off his foot and ended up in the back of the net for an own goal.
Calvary/Tolton pressured the remainder of the contest but couldn't find the back of the net. Sam Molli forced a diving save on a low shot late in the first and sprayed a few just wide in the second.
Todd Rakow was robbed early in the second half on a diving save and Cainan Whittle sent a low shot inches wide of the left post midway through the final period.
"You have your off days unfortunately," Senter said.
Calvary/Tolton had defeated the Southern Boone JV team 1-0 on Monday on the road. The Lions couldn't sweep the season series.
"I would say Monday's game was fought in the middle of the field and today's game was fought on their half of the field," Senter said, insinuating Calvary/Tolton played better in the loss than in the earlier win.
Calvary/Tolton (4-7-1) travels to St. Louis to take on the Fulton School of St. Albans at 4:30 p.m. next Friday.
"We have a week until our next game," Senter said. "Luckily our games are getting a little more spaced out so we'll have time to practice.