Novi's Catholic Central lost 2-1 to No. 2-ranked Warren De La Salle in a Catholic High School League (CHSL) Central Division boys soccer match Thursday, Sept. 17, at Warren.

The Shamrocks dropped to 5-4-1 overall and 1-3-1 in the CHSL Central Division. De La Salle, ranked No. 2 in Division 2, swept both league meetings against Catholic Central this season.

Head coach Gene Pulice acknowledged the defeat but kept his eyes on what's ahead.

"We had really good moments, but we've just got to put our moments together so we can get 80 minutes of moments," Pulice said.

He added that the Shamrocks will have to face everyone again in the state tournament. Pulice said injuries forced younger players into the lineup, but the fill-ins performed well enough to give him confidence the team's system is working.

De La Salle scored twice in the first half. D.J. Brandimarte opened the scoring with 24:07 left, and Andrew Corder, the program's all-time leading goal scorer, made it 2-0 with 26 seconds before halftime, according to The Oakland Press.

Catholic Central generated chances throughout. The Shamrocks put 12 shots on goal and held an 8-1 edge in corner kicks. De La Salle goalkeeper Dominic Baldarotta kept them scoreless until the final minute, making several key saves early in the match.

Pilots head coach Thaier Mukhtar credited Baldarotta as the difference, calling his goalkeeper "the best in the state."

Dominic Galli finally broke through for the Shamrocks with 27 seconds left. His corner kick skimmed off a defender at the near post and slipped into the far-side netting.

Pulice praised De La Salle and Mukhtar after the match, saying there were no excuses. Mukhtar returned the respect, saying he doubts any other CHSL Central Division team will manage to sweep Catholic Central this season.

De La Salle improved to 8-1-3 overall and 3-0-2 in division play, sitting unbeaten atop the CHSL Central. The Pilots are chasing a third straight Division 2 state title, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Catholic Central, ranked No. 13 in Division 1, hosts Saginaw Heritage on Saturday, Sept. 19, then welcomes Toledo St. Francis De Sales for a CHSL match Tuesday, Sept. 22.