St. Andrew's College 1st Soccer opened their spring season with a rock solid first half, only to see their lead slip away with three set piece goals in the span of five minutes, on their way to a 5-2 home defeat to Woodbridge SC.
 
With just one full week of training under their belts, the Saints managed to shake off a rusty opening five minutes and keep the game scoreless through a pair of stellar point blank saves from senior goalkeeper Gaven Toor '24.
 
SAC then settled in defensively and started to assert themselves on the counter attack, with winger Zach Brook '25 and left back Grayson Coburn '24 combining to cause plenty of trouble for the Woodbridge back four. 
 
The Saints efforts were rewarded with a set piece 33 minutes in, which led to a goalmouth scramble and a tidy lay off from captain Issa Abdu '24 that Pax Cortizas '26 slotted home from 12 yards out. And, just two minutes later, Cortizas nodded home his second to send the Saints to halftime ahead 2-nil.
 
Early in the second stanza, SAC conceded a trio corners and free kicks that led to three straight goals just 6 minutes in. Woodbridge then scored again on the counter, before the Saints found finally found their composure. 
 
After a series of solid possessions, Brook slipped behind the defence once again on a quick hit from Seb Maderios '25. He found Abdu for the tap in, which was flagged for offside. SAC conceded a penalty in the final minute, to round out the scoring.
 
Plenty to build on for the Saints, including a quality opening half against one of Ontario's top U18 sides.
 
Next up for SAC 1st Soccer is the Holy Trinity Spring Classic on Friday, April 12 in Bradford, Ontario
 
Go Saints!