Mater Dei Catholic College’s open soccer team will be among four teams fighting it out for a state title at the end of the month after a dominant quarter-final victory in the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) carnival.
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The first Wagga side to qualify for the quarter-finals didn't disappoint at Rawlings Park on Friday, claiming a convincing 2-1 win against Freeman Catholic College, from Bonnyrigg Heights in Sydney.
MDCC took the lead midway through the first half through a Jackson Holmes goal, and Luke Stephens sealed the win with a penalty 10 minutes before full-time.
The visitors scored a consolation goal in the closing minutes but Football Wagga development officer Liam Dedini said it was an impressive performance.
“Mater Dei created another four or five really good chances – they were well deserved winners, they were on top all game,” Dedini said.
“The depth in the team was really good and they played football – they kept it on the deck and didn’t just kick and chase.
“It started to frustrate the other team, coming down from Sydney, and they started to panic whenever they got the ball.”
Attacking midfielder Stevens and defensive midfielder Anthony Mason starred for MDCC.
The team will take plenty of belief with them to Sydney for their semi-final on August 29. The final will be played the following day.
“It was pretty big for the boys, they get to go up to Sydney for a couple of days now and see if they can take it out,” Dedini said.
“They won’t be going up there as easybeats, that’s for sure.”