PARKER – The St. Mary’s soccer team is starting a tradition.

The Pirates, who defeated host Lutheran Parker 2-0 in their 3A state quarterfinal matchup on Thursday night, recorded their fifth straight shutout after a change in tactics earlier in the season. After each shutout, the team gathers in a huddle to chant the letters “N-G-D.”

“It stands for ‘no-goal defense,’ which is what we’ve made into our focus,” Pirates coach Lou Sagastume explained. “We’ve been working to get ahead, but if we know our defense is not going to allow any goals, that’s really all we need.”

Jacob Calhoun, the Pirates’ freshman goalkeeper, was perfect Thursday, but it was the two first-half goals that allowed St. Mary’s (11-2) some breathing room. Sophomore Joe Morales scored first near the 23-minute mark, redirecting his own deflected shot.

“I had the ball and I was trying to pass it, which didn’t work out very well,” Morales said. “I was able to get it back though, and put it in. It was pretty chaotic there at the beginning, but I think once we scored we were able to settle down.”

Junior Corey Friend gave the Pirates a two-goal lead 7 minutes later.

“Once we got up 2-0, we decided we just wanted to keep it there,” Sagastume said. “If we scored, great, but we just wanted to focus on defense.”

The Pirates, two games away from a state championship, must face undefeated Colorado Springs Christian School at 5 p.m. Saturday at All-City Stadium in Denver.

CSCS defeated St. Mary’s 4-0 in their first meeting on Sept. 29, but St. Mary’s was able to keep it scoreless for the entire first half.

Click here to view a slideshow of photos from that game.

“I think we know that if we had played that second half the way we played the first, it would have been a very different game,” Sagastume said. “This is our second chance.”

Photo by smashburger.com