In a crucial MIAA A Conference men’s soccer game, the visiting Loyola Dons (4-6) topped JC 3-0 behind three second half strikes from three different Loyola players.

The game began at a quick pace and maintained the momentum for the remainder of the game. Early on, JC had the majority of the possession, but failed to create many quality scoring opportunities. With around 25 minutes remaining in the first half, Loyola began to seize control. Junior Jamie Dubyonski fired a shot off the crossbar, followed by a few scoring chances from close range on broken plays. JC survived the half without conceding, leaving the score at 0-0.

The second half began similarly. The play was even, but two Loyola seniors broke the deadlock in the51st minute. A corner shot by Loyola senior Elliott Andelman was slotted home by Ian Peacock on a one time volley. In the63rd minute, Loyola doubled their lead.  Loyola senior Mike Distler slid a through ball to Dubyoski, who promptly slotted the ball into the side netting. The scoring was capped when Loyola sophomore Jeremy DeGraffenreidt collected a ball from Andelman at the corner of the 18 yard box and bent his shot into the far corner.

“It was a tough game. We played fine in the first half, but we couldn’t keep possession in the 2nd. We got to take what we can from the game, and win some games,” junior midfielder Vince Perry said.

Prior to Tuesday’s game, the fifth and sixth playoff spots in the MIAA A conference were highly contested between Loyola, Archbishop Curley, and JC. But, following JC’s loss, and a 2-0 win from Curley over Archbishop Spalding, the picture has become clearer.

Curley has almost clinched a playoff berth with three consecutive wins, putting them in fifth place with 15 points. Loyola, with the win over JC, is now sitting with 12 points, leaving them with a six point cushion over JC.

JC is back in action on Thursday when they travel to Owings Mills to play the highly talented but struggling McDonough in a must-win game for the Patriots. McDonough, who has only gotten one point from their last three matches, dominated JC at home 5-0 in their last meeting.

“The McDonough game is a big game for us. It is a chance for us to make a statement that we aren’t done yet.  We’ll give all we got to get points in our last four games, winning against McDonough will be a big boost of confidence for the team,” senior Shaun Ostrowski said.

Henry Shepard can be reached for comment at [email protected].