By PAUL GOTHAM
WEBSTER, N.Y. — Brady Vieira converted a penalty kick in the second extra-time this past Saturday to lift McQuaid over Liverpool (III), 2-1.
On Monday, the senior midfielder took advantage of a set piece to snap a scoreless tie, and the Jesuit Knights went on to beat host Webster Thomas, 2-0 in non-league action.
Rather than request the customary 10 yards that the offensive player is afforded from the nearest defender on a free kick, Vieira opted for the element of surprise.
The tactic worked perfectly.
The senior midfielder connected for his fifth goal of the season.
“I saw the keeper was out on his post, and I didn’t ask for 10,” Vieira said. “I just figured I’m going to shoot this, catch them off-guard.”
54’ Brady Vieira goes inside post to give @AthleticsMcQ a 1-nil lead over Webster Thomas. pic.twitter.com/eWgljjyUdx
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 15, 2024
The goal came after a first half in which the Jesuit Knights found few open opportunities and managed two shots on frame.
“They showed us a little bit of a different look and gave us fits,” said second-year head coach Jeff Oliver. “They compressed the space in midfield. It was something we had to try and figure out. They gave us all we can handle.”
Coming out of the break, Chase Diehl rang the post and Kevin Miller sent a blast off the crossbar.
Thomas keeper Patrick Klehr followed a leaping save in which he touched a rocket from Miller over the bar with a diving stop.
Fantastic save from Patrick Klehr. pic.twitter.com/8a5FHQqYRK
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 15, 2024
Another gem of a stop by Patrick Klehr. pic.twitter.com/MphTdQxnuT
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 15, 2024
“That’s what you got to keep doing, getting chance after chance, create more and more to break a team down like that,” Oliver said. “You just got to get as many as you can. Luckily, we were able to get that break through.”
Vieira’s marker came in the 54th minute.
Leo Furgiuele ran on to a diagonal pass from teammate Sammy Maaraba and added an insurance tally 13 minutes later.
“Sammy picked the ball up in midfield,” Furgiuele said. “I saw him driving forward and there was an open gap. I figured I run through it. Sammy caught my eye and played me a very good ball. I did what we do in training.”
From last night: 67’ Leo Furgiuele runs on to a Sammy Maaraba diagonal and finishes far post to give @AthleticsMcQ a 2-nil lead over Webster Thomas. pic.twitter.com/OahE3CjCNH
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 15, 2024
McQuaid sent six of its eight shots on goal in the final 40 minutes of action.
“In the second half, we ran through the game plan, said we were going to stretch with the formation a little bit and press them hard,” Vieira said. “That forced them to play the ball long a little bit, and we took advantage from there.”
The win was the 10th straight for McQuaid (11-1-1) which trails only Fairport in Class AAA. McQuaid lost to the Red Raiders in the 2023 championship game.
“We knew coming into the year that it is a good group,” Oliver said. “They are pretty motivated from the way things ended last year. They have put in a ton of work in the off-season. It was a matter of getting a few games under our belt and finding our identity. It’s been all good from there. A lot of these kids play together (outside of the high school season). They’ve known each other for a long time. This has been a long time coming for them.”
Alex Morey made two saves for the shutout.
McQuaid hosts Aquinas in its regular season finale on Friday. A 7 p.m. start time is scheduled.
Webster Thomas (4-10-1) welcomes Hilton on Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.
*Article has been updated to give accurate credit for the assist on second McQuaid goal.
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