By PAUL GOTHAM
AVON, N.Y. — A penalty kick converted in the 51st minute broke a scoreless tie and ultimately served as a wake-up call.
Trailing 1-0, Alex Mayen and Lee Hartke scored goals less than three minutes apart as third-seeded Avon rallied to defeat No. 6 Sodus in Section V Class C1 quarter-final action, Saturday.
“We just knew that we had to step it up a notch and keep going,” said Hartke who scored the eventual game winner with 22:38 left in the game.
With the win, Avon advanced to meet No. 2 Williamson in Wednesday’s semi-final round.
“They knew how to respond,” Avon head coach Tony Patti said. “I knew that they would. I never doubted that they would.”
VIEW MORE CAROLE VOLPE PHOTOS HERE.
Mayen’s goal, if nothing else, caught Sodus keeper Jacob Laird by surprise.
A play that started just on the other side of midfield with a free kick, Mayen stepped into a clearing attempt and volleyed a shot from 25 yards out that slipped under the crossbar.
“When Alex scored that goal, it ignited us,” Patti said. “After that I felt we were in control of the game.”
55’ This is why you put it on frame. Alex Mayen gets the equalizer for Avon. pic.twitter.com/kOT9gif2Hd
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 23, 2021
Less than three minutes later, Hartke redirected a Gavin Waide cross for the lead.
“He hustles every play,” Hartke said of Waide. “He played a good ball. I just crashed the net. I know I got to run through the ball and something will happen.”
The goal was Hartke’s team-best 21st of the season.
“Right place at the right time,” Patti said of the goal. “He’s our leader. He’s our heart and soul. When the chips are down, he’s going to make the play.”
Lee Hartke’s 21st goal of the season gives Avon a 2-1 lead. pic.twitter.com/tPB33rumZd
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 23, 2021
Kyle Zerbe started the scoring when he drew a foul and converted the penalty kick for a 1-nil Sodus lead with 29:46 remaining in the contest.
51’ Kyle Zerbe draws the foul and converts the PK. Sodus 1-0 pic.twitter.com/Kx3eYzGN6l
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 23, 2021
Zerbe entered the contest with 18 goals and 11 assists on the season. The Braves were able to limit the senior attacker’s chances for the remainder of the second half.
“You have to know where he is at all times,” Patti said. “He is a really good player. He’s really fun to watch and really terrible to watch at the same time for me as an opposing coach. He’s one of the best we’ve seen all year for sure.”
The win was the sixth straight for Avon (12-3-2) which has outscored opponents by a combined total of 18-2 during the recent stretch. Avon’s last loss came to Keshequa (No. 8 NYSSWA Class C). Avon and Williamson last met in the post-season in 2013, a game that Williamson won 8-0.
The time and location of Wednesday’s game is to be announced.
Leave a Reply