By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rich Paufler isn’t interested in his World of Inquiry squad winning any beauty contests.
The Griffins made their head coach smile on Saturday afternoon.
Ehlermoo Tong led a late rush which resulted in an own goal that proved to be the game winner as fourth-seeded World of Inquiry downed No. 5 seed Avon, 2-1 in Class B2 boys’ soccer action from the Trent Jackson Athletic Complex on the campus of Franklin High School.
With the match level at one and teammate Joe Mohamed running the middle third of the field, Tong crossed a ball from the right corner. A clearing attempt deflected off a defender and into the back of the net for the go-ahead tally with 3:40 remaining in the contest.
“Sometimes these guys want to score the perfect goal,” Paufler said of his team. “I like ugly goals. We call them basura, (Spanish for) trash goals.”
World of Inquiry made the late score stand and advanced to the Class B2 semifinals.
The end result may not make any highlight reels, but the buildup was worthy of note.
Isaac Hakizimana and Tong worked a combination with Hakizimana deftly leading his teammate along the flank. Once around the edge of the defense, Tong looked to feed the dangerous Mohamed making his run.
Ehlermoo Tong makes the rush along the right wing and creates the own goal. 3 to go: World of Inquiry 2 Avon 1 pic.twitter.com/GPzmEh2Rjq
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 26, 2019
“We saw the wing open the entire afternoon,” Paufler explained. “Ehlermoo was in, and we stress getting the ball in front of the goal as much as possible. Get that service as early as possible, and things like that can happen. You can get lucky or they can get unlucky.
“We give an award at the end of the year for the guy who scores the most garbage goals. To me that is a hustle goal even though it’s an own goal. It’s a gritty, physical goal. I’m happy about that.”
Hakizimana gave WOI the lead midway through the first half when he redirected a Liban Abdi free kick.
Avon leveled the match with 20:02 remaining. Reverdy Clarke nodded in a Carson Williams corner kick from the right flag for the equalizer.
Reverdy Clarke nods in the equalizer. 20:02 remaining Class B2 BSOC Avon 1 World of Inquiry 1 pic.twitter.com/KVdTLVK6TK
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 26, 2019
WOI will play the Bath-Haverling/Waylan-Cohocton winner in the semifinals. Bath-Haverling (No. 1 NYSSWA Class B) downed WOI, 5-0 on October 14th. Thomas Binkowski (25 goals/12 assists) leads the undefeated Rams (16-0-0).
The game is scheduled for next Wednesday.
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