By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The World of Inquiry boys soccer team reached one of its pre-season goals on Wednesday. Drama was an added touch.
Ayub Jeylani struck for a golden goal in the 91st minute as the World of Inquiry Griffins defeated the McQuaid Jesuit Knights, 2-1 in Rochester City-Catholic action at Franklin High School.
The Griffins victory was the first in program history over their league rival.
“That was the next goal in our steps to our ultimate goal, absolutely,” said Griffins head coach Rich Paufler. “This is our match. They’re our nemesis. They’re the quality team in the City-Catholic. We wanted to put our names in the ring, so to speak.”
Playing a man down because of a disqualification in the 69th minute, World of Inquiry took sole possession of first with a record of 4-0.
“It feels amazing,” Paufler added. “A man down. Second overtime. It’s quite a feat.”
Jeylani combined with teammate James Weh for his 18th goal of the season.
“After I passed it to my teammate James in the center, I told him to give it to me down the line,” Jeylani explained. “I ran for it, took a touch, shot it. The keeper blocked it then I just made it happen.”
Weh assisted on World of Inquiry’s first goal of the game as the Griffins took a lead in the 10th minute. The midfielder’s cross found Toyi Hakizimana in the center of the pitch for a touch over the outstretched hands of McQuaid keeper Tommy Gallina.
The Griffins threatened to extend the lead, but Gallina kept the Knights close. The junior keeper turned away Jeylani in the 27th minute and blocked a header attempt on a corner kick moments after that.
“Tommy stood on his head for us,” McQuaid head coach Nino Pilato said. “He made a couple big saves in there. We didn’t help him out by putting any of opportunities away.”
Dan Malloy got the equalizer for McQuaid in the 70th minute. After the Jesuit Knights came away empty-handed on several opportunities earlier in the half, the sophomore attacker converted teammate Adriano Margiotta’s corner kick with a header.
Malloy created the the chance for a set piece with a take away moments earlier in the World of Inquiry end.
“He’s a hustler,” Pilato said of Malloy. “He’s all over the field. He deserved the goal for making it happen.”
But McQuaid was not able to take advantage of chances before the end of regulation.
“We prepared for them to come at us in the second half,” Paufler said. “So we did expect it, but again a man down it forces you to change everything and make adjustments on the fly. We were hurting back there for a minute, but we were able to hold it together.”
Jean Sindayihebura made one of his 14 saves in the 77th minute when McQuaid’s Brennan Brown redirected Justin LaFountain’s cross into the box.
“Man of the match for us,” Paufler said of his keeper. “Very pleased with him. It’s his first year on the team. Before the year, we didn’t know who our goalkeeper would be. He’s really a Godsend.”
It appeared McQuaid had the game winner in the 83rd minute when Dan Rooney got behind the World of Inquiry defense. The play was ruled offsides despite a Griffin on the ground between the McQuaid attacker and the goal.
World of Inquiry improved to 8-0 overall. The Griffins will play Edison/Monroe on Friday. A 4:15 start is scheduled at Leadership Academy.
McQuaid fell to 7-2/2-1. The Knights will host SOTA/NW/NE on Friday for another 4:15 kickoff.
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