By PAUL GOTHAM
Josiah Fragnito converted a penalty kick in the 82nd minute, and the Aquinas Li’l Irish advanced to the championship of the Catholic Cup with a 1-0 victory over Bishop Kearney Friday night at Wegmans Stadium.
Fragnito’s team high ninth goal of the season came just in time for an Aquinas squad which had its chances earlier in the game but could not capitalize.
“I told our guys after full time ‘we’re not playing great,'” Aquinas coach Josh Gleason said. “There’s nothing we can do about it, but the good news is it’s zero-zero. Let’s organize. Let’s go score one goal and end the game. Everybody bought into it and did what they could.”
Fragnito beat Bishop Kearney goalkeeper David Tierney on the right side.
Aquinas threatened in the 48th minute when Aidan Kopacz lofted a direct kick from 40 yards away, but Luke Putnam could not connect with a header. Jason Pike rang a shot off the crossbar in the 65th minute, and Michael Theodorou couldn’t convert from inside the 18-yard box two minutes later.
“The longer you keep teams around the more confident the other teams is going to get,” Gleason noted. “It’s zero-zero. They’re getting confidence, knocking on the doorstep and anything can happen.”
That opportunity occurred when TJ Tytler intercepted a pass at midfield and led a Bishop Kearney rush.
“They’re a tough team,” Gleason said of Bishop Kearney. “They outworked us for sure. There’s no doubt about it.”
Aquinas played the final 2:08 of regulation without starting goalkeeper Kyle Pero who had to leave the game after an injury forced a stoppage in time.
Aquinas (4-2-0) will play McQuaid (6-0-0) in Saturday’s championship. A 4 p.m. kickoff is scheduled.
Bishop Kearney will play Canisius (VI) in the 2 p.m. consolation match.
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