From staff reports

The Callaway boys’ soccer team didn’t pass this season’s biggest test, but the Cavaliers aren’t looking back.

With five games remaining before the state playoffs begin, the Cavaliers will look to rebound from Thursday’s 3-0 loss to region-leading Pacelli by winning out and taking the region’s No. 2 spot.

Also Thursday, the Lady Cavaliers dropped to Pacelli 6-0 and are still winless on the season.

For the boys, head coach Matt Leonard was pleased with the way the team played, but the Cavaliers just weren’t able to convert scoring opportunities.

“We had our chances. We could have had two or three goals,” Leonard said. “We just need to start getting more shots on goal.”

The loss to Pacelli drops the Cavaliers to 5-5 overall, but Callaway still has a shot to be runner-up and earn a spot to the Class AA tournament.

“We have no plans of losing anymore,” Leonard said. “(Thursday’s game) was the region title game, and now we’re out of the picture for the region championship. Being runner-up will wipe that away, though.”

Leonard said the Cavaliers played much better than the final score indicated, and an early Pacelli goal in which Callaway’s goal keeper slipped on wet grass set a sour tone for the rest of the game.

Late in the second half and trailing 2-0, Leonard sent the Cavaliers into a three-back set, which allows another offensive player to have a chance at scoring a goal.

The plan backfired, however, and Pacelli added another score on the thin defense.

“Overall, I’m pleased with how they’re progressing,” Leonard said. “We just need to keep focus.”