It seemed the Bishop McNamara High School girls' soccer team was playing its best heading into Tuesday afternoon's home game against defending Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champion St. John's (D.C.).

The Mustangs tied Bishop O'Connell (Va.), 1-1, on Monday and Good Counsel, 3-3, a week earlier -- two opponents that traditionally have given McNamara trouble.

But the Mustangs came out flat against St. John's and dropped a 4-2 decision at Tyoka Jackson Field. Only senior forward Jackie Corley's two late goals made the final outcome respectable. Until that point, the Cadets dominated the action with crisp passing that created many solid scoring opportunities.

Had it not been for the spectacular play of freshman goalkeeper Sara Cavanagh, who faced nearly 30 shots, the score would have been more lopsided. Among her many saves came one on a penalty kick seven minutes into the second half.

"We've played good this year, but we just didn't do what we needed to do to win," said second-year McNamara coach George Hunt. "We didn't have the rhythm we wanted."

The Mustangs are 0-3-2 and will return to action Friday at Bishop Ireton (Va.), but they could have won any of their first four contests before facing St. John's (1-2-2). Back-to-back deadlocks against O'Connell and Good Counsel followed two-goal losses to Paul VI (Va.) and Holy Cross. McNamara won just four games in 2008, but the Mustangs say they could have at least that many wins already in 2009.

"I feel we've definitely shown improvement," said Corley, who has scored six of the team's nine goals this season and has attracted recruiting interest from Loyola College and American University "We already tied the top two teams in the league. We've never done that. It was great that we could do that."

"I think we're improved over our first year [under Hunt]," added junior defender Stephanie Ayres. "We've learned to pass and work together with each other, and we communicate together."

Corley took a pass from junior Allison Morris with 6 minutes, 18 seconds remaining in the second half Tuesday and shot a low liner into the net for McNamara's first goal. Three minutes later, sophomore Miranda Spangler sent a pass toward Corley, and in similar fashion, she scored a second goal.

"We finally got the ball through their defense, which we were trying to do the whole game," said Corley. "When we finally got it through, it was easier for us to score."

Cavanagh injured her knee in Monday's tie against O'Connell, but she played the entire game Tuesday. She kept the Mustangs in the game with several hard shots coming her way from every direction.

"She's that good," Hunt said. "She's going to be a top goalie in this league and she's just a freshman."

But a win is what the Mustangs need to instill the team with confidence.

"I'm just hoping we can win some games," said Corley. "We're improved, but our record is not where I want it to be."

In addition to Corley, senior Candace Chambers has scored two goals this season and junior Megan Timms has one goal. Hunt also praised the play of sophomore Catherine Anderson.

"The kids are jelling," said Hunt. "In the end, I think we'll be right there with everybody. By the end of the year is definitely the time I want us to be playing our best."

E-mail Adam Rubenstein at arubenstein@gazette.net.