By PAUL GOTHAM
RIGA, N.Y. — Jack Turner converted on a set piece in the second overtime, and Hilton (No. 15 NYSSWA Class AA) defeated host Churchville-Chili (No. 17 NYSSWA Class AA), 2-1 in Section V Boys’ Soccer action, Wednesday night.
Turner climbed the ladder and headed in a free kick from teammate Kyle Cunningham.
“I was trying to make that run inside, cut behind all the defenders and he played a great ball into the box,” the junior midfielder said. “I was watching the ball the whole time just to make sure I get contact on it. Hopefully it was going to hit off my head and it did.”
Turner’s game winner came after the Cadets scored less than 15 minutes into the second half only to surrender that lead in the closing moments despite playing a man up.
Jack Turner. Bar-B-Que Sauce. @HiltonSoccer 2-1. pic.twitter.com/xv84hMjIMi
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 21, 2023
“It’s hard to come here, and it’s hard to come out with a positive result,” Hilton head coach Mike Ellicott said of his squad’s third straight game on the road. “We felt that tonight. “They went down to 10 men, scored a goal and made it very uncomfortable in overtime for us.”
Johnny Bianchi opened the scoring in the 55th minute when he lofted a ball into the opposite side netting from just outside the 6-yard box. Bianchi’s 10th goal of the season looked like the difference in the match when Churchville-Chili received a red card disqualification in the 73rd minute.
55’ Johnny Bianchi with the touch finds the back of the net for the 10th time this season. @HiltonSoccer 1-nil pic.twitter.com/hgvhmht6oV
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 20, 2023
Then the Saints Aidan Ozkaynak won a ball in the middle third and laid it off to teammate Chris Keller along the right flank. Keller took one touch to beat a defender and played a service from 50 yards out to the back post where Elijah Bailey was waiting for a header to level the match with 3:07 on the clock.
77’ Beauty of a goal. Elijah Bailey kids in the equalizer. Chris Keller gets the assist. @HiltonSoccer 1 @CCCSDbsoccer 1 pic.twitter.com/a6tVUUGsUF
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 21, 2023
“I didn’t think we were down a man; it looked like it was even,” Churchville-Chili head coach John Mahoney said. “If anything, we were weirdly pressing them. I couldn’t comprehend it myself, but I thought it was great.
“I think what we were doing well was our shape. We were pushing forward at them together. Together was the key. It was only 10 of us, but nine of the 10, other than the goalie, were pressed up in their half. We were really putting them in dangerous spots.”
The loss was the second straight for C-C (4-2-1) which outscored opponents 10-2 to open the season unbeaten in its first five games.
“I told them I was proud of them,” Mahoney said. “I’m proud of the guys. Both teams moved the ball so well.”
That lead stood until Turner connected for his first goal of the season off a Cunningham service from 30 yards out.
“I’m glad it went in,” Turner said. “I thought it went off somebody else after me. I’m glad we scored.”
Hilton (6-1-0) travels to Penfield for Monroe County Division I matchup on Saturday. A 5:00 PM kickoff is scheduled. Churchville hosts Irondequoit for Monroe County Division II tilt on Saturday. An 11:00 AM start is slated.
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