Boys soccer: Bishop McLaughlin earns key district win

Though it may not have been intended, the Bishop McLaughlin boys' soccer team couldn't have made a more definitive statement Friday night.

In what amounted to a District 2A-9 first-round playoff preview, the Hurricanes received a pair of goals from Chris Pirello and nearly suffocated Indian Rocks Christian's offense in a commanding 5-0 victory.

"We just wanted to play well, because it's always a strong game between [both teams]," Bishop McLaughlin coach John Mayer said. "If this makes a statement, it shows me that we can play up to our competition, because Indian Rocks Christian is a very talented team. The boys showed that they're capable of playing a tough, physical game and winning it."

The Hurricanes (12-4) all but clinched the No. 2 seed for the district playoffs with the victory, while Indian Rocks Christian (6-6) should finish third, meaning the two will meet again in two weeks.

Friday's preview was one-sided nearly from the start.

Bishop McLaughlin held a commanding 13-6 advantage in shots and easily could have pushed the score to 7-0 or 8-0 if not for several outstanding saves from Eagles' goalkeeper Dalton Hardesty, who finished with six saves.

Donovan Lovelock opened the scoring less than 8 minutes in and Cade Beedie doubled the Hurricanes' advantage with 14 minutes remaining when he blasted a long shot from the left past Hardesty.

Pirello scored the first of his goals nearly midway through the second half on what Mayer deemed a, "sheer-effort goal." Pirello's header was initially blocked by Hardesty, but the junior goal scorer won a battle for the loose ball and was able to push a rebound into the open net for the goal that ended hopes of an Eagles' comeback. Pirello's second goal came eight minutes later when he kept the ball on a 2-on-1 break and his low, soft shot slid just inside the near post.

"Those aren't goals that guys are going to remember for being big blasts," Mayer said. "He just kept focused and kept playing. When you do that, you can get goals like that."

Caelin Campbell, who also added an assist, scored the final goal on a penalty kick with less than two minutes remaining.