ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A pair of first-half goals proved to be the difference as the McQuaid Jesuit Knights (7-0-2) defeated host Aquinas (6-3-2), 2-1 in non-league action, Thursday night.
Casey Montesano and Jacob Sevene connected on strikes less than nine minutes apart to give McQuaid (No. 10 NYSSWA Class AA) all the offense it needed.
Montesano took a touch pass from teammate Trey Leo in the 27th minute and tucked a shot underneath the crossbar from just outside the 18-yard box to start the scoring. From there, Sevene connected on a left-footed blast from 30 yards out for a 2-nil advantage.
“It’s always an intense battle with them,” McQuaid head coach Nino Pilato said of the win over Aquinas. “That’s a good team over there. Hats off to those guys. They always play us tough. They got a nice team. They’ll make a deep run in sectionals.”
14’ Casey Montesanto gives @AthleticsMcQ an early lead. pic.twitter.com/MHXWR04L12
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 29, 2022
The goals came after Aquinas made an initial surge to start the game but the Li’l Irish were not able to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the opening minutes.
“The relentless pressure from our forwards on their backs actually changed the game,” Pilato noted.
“They outworked us all over the field,” Aquinas head coach Josh Gleason said of the first half. “We had a really good opportunity at the beginning of the game. The way the game goes our kids have dropped their heads a little bit. They got a little momentum, scored two good goals. That being said, we were still creating opportunities.”
Niyen Ruffin stopped the Aquinas chance in the opening minute of the match and then denied the Li’l Irish momentum going into halftime when the 6-foot-1 keeper blocked a point blank attempt from Zenon Linehan.
Big save from Niyen Ruffin. pic.twitter.com/XcUVFGuIu7
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 30, 2022
“Being here at AQ, at night just give me energy and that fuel to go,” Ruffin said. “Once we score one, we keep on going. Typically, that’s how it works for us.”
The senior came into the game with 27 saves over eight games – seven of which were shutouts. Ruffin saw more action Thursday night and responded to the tests.
“The saves that he should make, he makes,” Pilato said of Ruffin. “He’s not just big. He’s athletic and skillful.”
Ali Shibani got Aquinas in the scoreboard with 10:31 remaining in the contest. The junior midfielder took a feed from teammate Alfonso Vito along the outer left third and went far post to beat a sliding Ruffin.
“With 20 minutes left, we had a formation change,” Gleason said. “We waited until 20 to see where we were at. Made that change and we really put numbers forward, played a little bit more direct. We were getting the ball up the field, and I thought we were creating a lot of opportunities toward the end of the game.”
70’ Ali Shibani gets behind the defense to cut the deficit in half. McQuaid 2-1 pic.twitter.com/0zDpZRAnVJ
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 30, 2022
Aquinas travels to play at Brighton on Saturday. A 7 p.m. start time is scheduled.
McQuaid plays at Pittsford Sutherland on Saturday. A 5 p.m. start is slated.
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