The St. Andrew's College Saints conceded just three goals in six games at the CAIS National Invitational Tournament, but fell one win short of a title in a thrilling 1-0 loss to Crescent School in the championship final.
The tournament finale was an even contest, with senior
Grayson Coburn '24 and winger
Reza Ziai '25 constantly slipping behind the Crescent defence, but the Saints couldn't break through. A broken play, just 30 seconds from time, fell to the feet of a Crescent forward who slotted home winner.
Despite the finals loss, the youthful Saints put in a half-dozen solid team efforts, led by senior captain
Issa Abdu '24, who played in both the midfield and at centre back, and for his efforts earned the tournament's most valuable player award.
En route to the final, SAC went 2-0-1 in round robin play with a 1-1 draw with Lower Canada College, alongside wins over Country Day School 8-0 and Stanstead College 2-1. In that trio of games, forward Josh Henriques '26 notched a team-leading five goals, with midfielder
Pax Cortizas '26 chipping in with a pair.
In the quarterfinal, the Saints played their best match of the tournament, and while they left it late, they marched their way into the semifinal behind a tiki-taka team goal and tidy finish from senior
Aidan Peets '24 to claim a 1-0 victory over Appleby College.
The semifinal versus Vancouver's St. George's School was a back-and-forth affair that was settled in penalties. Senior goalkeeper
Gaven Toor '24 was a wall in goal and it was
James Rowan '25 who scored the winning PK.
Rowan was outstanding all weekend as part of the Saint's back-three, with an injury-depleted lineup also getting some standout performances from midfielder
Oliver Poulos '25, winger
Jordan Bragoli '25 and defender
Faris Al-Hinai '25.
SAC will get a chance to regroup and rest their weary bodies this week, before heading to Hudson, Ohio for the Mid-West Prep Showcase where they'll tangle with Immaculate Heart Central (NY) and Woodstock Academy (CT).
Go Saints!
Upcoming Action:
Mid-West Prep Showcase (Western Reserve Academy - Hudson, Ohio)
Saturday, October 21
1pm - SAC 1st Soccer vs Immaculate Heart Central, NY (North Field 2)
Sunday, October 22
9am - SAC 1st Soccer vs Woodstock Academy, CT (North Field 2)
