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By Regina Shiroma

Knights’ Moses Richardson scored the first goal for his team in the 22nd minute. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The defending champs, the St. John’s Knights, handed the FD Friars another loss Wednesday afternoon at the Leo Palace field, shutting them out 3-0.

In the first half, possession switched back and forth between both teams, as both hustled after every loose ball and each of these high-powered defenses cleared the ball out of their territories.

Struggling to find their rhythm at first, the Knights were able to get on board in the 22nd minute off a hard-angled lob into the goal by Moses Richardson, allowing the Knights to take a 1-0 lead.

McDonald’s player of the game: Knights’ Jonathan Odell

Knight’s defender Cedric Sevilla awed and shocked the audience, unsuspectingly knocking in a free kick from about 70 yards out, placing it right above FD keeper, Jerome Artero’s hands, putting his Knights up 2-0.

Though the Friars took more shots on goal in the first half, the second half belonged to the Knights.

The St. John’s defense shut down the FD offense and boosted up its own.

Friars’ Christopher Wintterlee goes for the header. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

In the opening five minutes of the second half, Knights John O’Dell scored off a corner kick, hitting the inside of the back post.

The Knights would go on to attempt more shots at the goal, but were unable to capitalize.

“We worked better as a team. Against GW we really lacked in our teamwork, you could tell. The way we played today was a lot better than the way we played a few days ago. It was good to win. We needed to pick up our game in order to be champions again this year,” said O’Dell.

The Knights, coming off a loss against the Geckos, now improve to 3-1-1 while the Friars drop to 2-2-1.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Friars’ Keigo Kitadate stumbles the defense of Knights’ Ryan Freeman to get a clear shot at the goal. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Friars’ Johnathan Onedera and Knights’ Phillip Caguioa hustle to the ball to keep it in play. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Friars’ Audell Sabeti dribbles past the defense of Knights’ Cedric Sevilla. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Friars’ Christian Cruz jumps high between two Knights defenders to gain control of the ball. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Knights’ Cedric Sevilla goes for the header. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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