PHOTO GALLERY: Middle holds off late Spirit charge to remain unbeaten

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — The Middle Township High School girls soccer team appeared headed to a dominating victory over a very good opponent Tuesday afternoon.

Instead, the Lady Panthers had to hold off a late Holy Spirit to post a 3-2 victory in a battle of two of the better teams in the Cape-Atlantic United Conference, both of which entered the contest unbeaten.

“Holy Spirit is a really good team and a really young team,” Middle coach Mike Hickman said. “We’re happy with the result, obviously. They fought from the first whistle all the way to the end. Give them props for what they did. We were up 3-0 and they came back and scored two goals on us.”

Olivia Sgrignioli gave Middle a 1-0 lead at the half. Goals by C.C. DiMauro and Sofia Sgrgnioli appeared to put the game away for Middle, but the Spartans fought back. Middle (4-0) was forced to defend a one-goal lead for the final eight minutes following goals by Holy Spirit’s Ella Petrosh and Sabrina Little.

“We’re still young,” Hickman said. “At one point we had five freshmen on the field. We have to get those kids playing time and we have to work through our mistakes. We’re working on things and we’re trying to keep getting better.”

Holy Spirit dropped to 3-1 with the loss.

Middle Township is scheduled to face another test later this week when it hosts rival Wildwood Catholic on Thursday, weather permitting.