By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — If a tie could ever feel like a win, then that was the case Monday night for the Brighton boys’ soccer team.
On the road and playing shorthanded for more than 85 minutes, the Bruins tied host Aquinas, 1-1 in non-league play.
“We played tough,” Brighton head coach Adam Hiller said. “It was a pretty even game despite playing a man down. I thought we had a couple chances.”
Ben Vitale’s goal in the 22nd minute gave Brighton an early lead.
“I told the guys after going a man down, ‘I didn’t want to change anything,'” Hiller stated. “I didn’t want to sit in a shell. That team (Aquinas) is too good. They’ll just knock it around and pick us apart.”
Vitale’s goal stood for 50 minutes before Alfonso Vito leveled the match for Aquinas.
“I thought it was a good game,” Aquinas head coach Josh Gleason noted. “Brighton is a good team, well-coached. They (Brighton) worked hard. We relaxed a little and maybe thought we were just going to skate through. By them scoring, it forced us to play better. We had to step up.”
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Aquinas junior Iesa Mohammed broke into the open field and was taken down by the last Brighton defender resulting in an automatic red card disqualification. The play happened with 25:37 remaining in the first half.
“It could have gone either way that game,” Hiller said. “We had a couple defensive lapses.”
Brighton keeper Cal Oberst finished with seven saves.
“A couple times our defense got caught up, and Cal baled us out,” Hiller said. “He had a punch save on one, a diving save to his right and a couple times coming off his line. He really did well tonight.”
Cal Oberst comes off his line to thwart an Aquinas attempt. Going to a second overtime: @brightonbruins 1 Aquinas 1 pic.twitter.com/dDgrLi4jMb
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 5, 2021
Brighton could not convert on a penalty kick opportunity with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.
Adrian Storozynsky assisted on Vitale’s goal that came with Brighton playing with 10 on the pitch. It was Vitale’s second goal of the season.
Vito redirected a cross from Phil Wohltorf for the sophomore’s second tally of the season. Wohltorf delivered the ball from the right to Vito running along the left wing. Gleason noted the influence of Elvir Odzakovic on the play.
68’ Alfonso Vito gets the equalizer for Aquinas. Phil Wohltorf assists on the play. pic.twitter.com/uTVHIOGEAA
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 5, 2021
“With 25 minutes left down one-nothing, we put Elvir up top. We were fortunate enough to get a goal.”
Odzakovic occupied the middle third and allowed the ball through to Vito who had a better angle on the shot.
“I was ready to put Elvir back on defense,” Gleason said. “Benny (senior back, Geyer) said ‘keep it like this. Let’s keep attacking and going for the win.’ He wanted to keep it with three in the back. I thought that was huge on Ben’s part to have the confidence.
“Of course, I would have like to have gotten the win, but it’s good hang around in a game like this.”
Kevin Howse stopped eight shots for the Li’l Irish.
A persistent rain fell throughout the duration of the match.
Brighton (6-4-2) plays at Irondequoit on Wednesday.
Aquinas (6-5-1) travels to Skaneatles for a tournament next weekend. The Li’l Irish open against St. Francis (VI).
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