Thursday’s 4-1 loss capped off a three-game week for the St. Aloysius Flashes as it lost to MHSAA opponent Richland.

Connor Bottin scored for the Flashes in the 22nd minute of the first half tying the game up at a goal apiece, which they held going into halftime. But Desmond McElroy, Gregory Anderson and Billy Guevara crushed whatever momentum the Flashes built each scoring a goal and solidifying Richland’s victory.

The Flashes had one day off the field this week as they played Washington School on Monday and River Oaks in Louisiana on Wednesday. St. Al went 1-2 during the stretch beating River Oaks in an 8-0 make-up game. The game was called early because the Flashes scored enough to enforce the mercy rule.

“That’s tough. In private school they have a lot on their plate,” St. Al coach Scott Mathis said. “Having three games during the week, I probably shouldn’t have done that because it’s too hard on them, especially when you don’t have the subs.”

Mathis said he lost one of his best players in Gradon Bourne after a collision when a River Oaks player’s cleat made contact with Bourne’s ankle during the first 30 seconds of the game.

Mathis scheduled Richland as a “practice” game, but didn’t expect to have players out with injuries.

“I thought I’d have more of a team but it happens, but we work at it and just move on,” Mathis said. “When you’re not doing the right things it kind of defeats the purpose of what you’re trying to do.”

The difference in play from the Flashes between the first and second half was effort. Mathis said his team’s defense just gave up.

“(Richland) got a couple of fast breaks on us and our keeper didn’t know what to do,” he said. “He’s new to the game and for him to be doing what he’s been doing is just amazing.”

Flashes’ goalkeeper Townsend Derivaux said he saved six of Richland’s shots in a game that let him defend against better skilled players and a better defense.

“They were really good offense,” Derivaux said. “They had a bunch of skill players and we kind of fell apart at the beginning of the second half. I think this game was good for us to help us in the finals.”

Derivaux added that Richland was able to get the ball onto St. Al’s side of the field because the Rangers could get the ball around defenders and were faster than St. Al.

Moving forward, Mathis will try to do what he has to do to keep his team on target as playoffs approach.

“In this league and can’t keep a hold of the ball and take it on yourself because you’ll get hacked quicker than anything and you’ll be out of the game because you’re hurt,” Mathis said. “I have players who want to take it on themselves and I just can’t have that.”