BY PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Andrew O’Neill took his coach’s warning to heart.
Riding the momentum of his goal late in the first half, the McQuaid junior connected again in the second stanza on what would prove to be the game winner.
“Our coach (Nino Pilato) says 2-nil is the worst score in soccer; the game can go either way,” O’Neill commented after McQuaid’s 3-2 win over Aquinas. “It was basically time to put the game to bed.”
Teammate Elliot Aguirre pushed the ball 20 yards before finding O’Neill along the left flank.
“I saw Elliot in the middle making a run forward,” O’Neill explained. “There was open space on the left because he was drawing defenders in. The center back was coming in. I looked far post and hit it near post.”
54’ Andrew O’Neill connects for the second time tonight to give McQuaid a 3-0 lead. Elliot Aguirre gets the assist. pic.twitter.com/E7DnphV8B0
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 2, 2021
With 26:57 left on the clock and a three-goal lead, McQuaid (No. 6 NYSSWA Class AA) looked to have the game well in hand.
Pilato’s warning proved prophetic.
Elvir Odzakovic converted a penalty for Aquinas with 3:49 remaining on the clock. Less than 90 seconds later, Zenon Linehan found back of the net for his first goal of the season. Nathan Freitas assisted on the play.
Andrew O’Hern started the scoring for McQuaid with an assist from Casey Montesano.
O’Hern later assisted on O’Neill’s marker just before the half.
O’Neill’s goals were his fifth and sixth of the season. O’Hern’s tally was his fifth of the campaign to go with eight assists.
Andrew O’Neill gives McQuaid a 2-0 lead over Aquinas heading into halftime. Andrew O’Hern gets the assist on the play. pic.twitter.com/eQgEpoj75z
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 2, 2021
McQuaid (11-1-0) hosts East/Leadership/NE Douglass on Wednesday. A 6 p.m. kickoff is scheduled.
Aquinas (6-5-0) hosts Brighton on Monday for a 6:30 p.m. start.
Niyen Ruffin and John Palermo deny a late corner kick opportunity. pic.twitter.com/ZCbEpSdQqA
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 3, 2021
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