Luck just wasn't on Calvary/Tolton's side.
Even though the Lions dominated the second half, the Fulton School at St. Albans stole a late winner on the counterattack to escape with a 3-2 victory Monday at the 63 Sports Complex.
"Definitely a tough game for us," Calvary/Tolton head coach Thomas Senter said. "I think we matched up rather well. Didn't luck out in front of the goal like we normally do.
"We were unfortunate. We got a lot of good looks."
Soccer can be a cruel game.
St. Albans' Brendan Shine ran onto a long ball down the right side and blasted a shot near-post past Evan Brenner for the game-winning goal with just five minutes left to play, spoiling what had been a strong final 40 minutes for Calvary/Tolton.
"St. Albans lucked out and got that one break," Senter said. "We didn't catch a break. That's what we get for letting them hang around."
Hanging around is exactly what St. Albans did. Calvary/Tolton enjoyed most of the possession in the second half, as well as the majority of the scoring chances. The final touch just wasn't there.
The Lions held a 12-7 edge in shots in the final 40 minutes, including 7-4 in shots on goal.
"We were stepping it up in the second half," Senter said.
Calvary/Tolton just couldn't find the back of the net.
The Lions' best opportunity came with eight minutes left before time. Sam Molli drilled a shot from at least 30 yards out on a restart, banging it off the crossbar.
"He cracked a heck of a free kick from outside the box," Senter said.
It was like that chance after chance.
Cal Kolzow hit the left post early in the half off a cross from Caleb Murray. Molli blasted a low shot from 18 yards out that forced a diving save. A corner kick almost curled in, asking only for the tap of a foot to slide it in the net on the back post.
"We kept the pressure up all the way until the end of the game," Senter said. "I think it's a growing pain. I think I have too much youth. They haven't learned how to leave it on the field. I'm not going to say we were unlucky because I believe if you give it your all the results will come. We were giving a lot, but St. Albans gave just a little bit more."
Calvary/Tolton took the original lead 11 minutes into the contest.
Kolzow fed Noah Lawrence with a nifty pass, who responded with a clinical finish, slotting the ball into the right side of the net.
"Cal Kolzow made a lovely assist, switching it up the field to Noah," Senter said. "It was really nice to see it happen. That was just a great forward pass, a give-and-go type of situation."
The Eagles tied the game nine minutes later when Paul Hofstetter blasted home a pass from Natasha Douglass, one of three girls on the team that saw playing time.
Calvary/Tolton regained the lead seven minutes before halftime when Luke Allen flicked a ball into the box that a streaking Murray ran onto and smashed home.
"Caleb was in the right position, and it proved fruitful for him," Senter said.
St. Albans found the equalizer two minutes before the intermission when Shine tallied from 10 yards out after receiving a ball from Joshua Dunne.
"St. Albans brought some talented ballhandlers," Senter said. "We haven't seen that much this season, except against Battle and the larger schools."
Fulton improves to 6-0 with the victory.
Calvary/Tolton (3-4) hosts Belle at 5 p.m. Friday for Senior Night.
"We played them last Friday and lost 3-0 in the last five minutes of the game," Senter said. "We're definitely going to spend the rest of the week preparing for that game."