Chaminade tops St. John the Baptist

Chaminade's Charles Stiene breaks toward goal during the CHSAA High... — Chaminade's Charles Stiene breaks toward goal during the CHSAA High School boys soccer game where Chaminade defeated St. John the Baptist 3-0. (Sep. 27, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy

By Adam RonisSeptember 27, 2011

The record is very deceiving. Chaminade already has three losses, but the Flyers have played a very difficult schedule. The losses came against St. Benedict's Prep, one of the top teams in the country, St. Anthony's, and Scarsdale, a state Class AA semifinalist last season.

Chaminade (5-3-2, 5-1) got a win over a very good St. John the Baptist team, 3-0, today.

"They start to believe in themselves with a victory against an opponent like that," Mike said. "Playing that tough schedule helped today. We did talk about it's time to beat a quality opponent."

Chaminade coach Mike Gallagher faced his brother Nick, who is the coach of St. John the Baptist for the first time. Nick spend the last two seasons as an assistant with the Flyers.

Will Mike be bragging at dinner Tuesday night?

"He might be," Nick said, "but he is as humble about it as anyone. It didn’t look like it today, but he taught me a lot defensively and how to shape a team. I learned how to coach through him. I knew tactical things, but he taught me how to get a lot out of guys."

Charles Stiene scored two goals and Kevin Mercadante added another and Matthew Sinatro made 10 saves for host Chaminade.

Stiene was moved from defender to forward to help create some offense and he certainly did.

Said Mike Gallagher: “He’s like the best sixth man in the game type thing. You need someone to play left back, let Chuck play it. Need someone to play forward, put him there. Chuck responded fantastically.”

Sophomore Joseph Swenson is the first sophomore to be on the varsity for the Flyers, according to Mike. He had an assist on a corner kick on the first goal.

"It’s a great opportunity," Swenson said. "I am really proud to get this honor."

Sinatro also made some big saves. He barely played in goal last season.

"He had some trouble early on in the year with angle," Mike said. "He did a phenomenal job with that today. He didn’t play much last year. He needs more games."

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