CENTRAL VALLEY – A significant place in history was already assured for the Christian Brothers Academy boys soccer team, regardless of how last weekend’s New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A championships turned out.
Yet the Brothers wanted greatness and a marker alongside the 1996 and 97 state title teams, only to find that the ultimate dream would elude it.
At Monroe-Woodbury High School last Saturday afternoon, CBA faced Section IX’s Beacon in the state semifinals, the Bulldogs playing something close to a home game less than 20 miles from its campus.
Whether it was the comfort of playing at home or the challenge of an undefeated opponent, the Bulldogs rose up to that challenge, keeping its poise after surrendering a two-goal lead and defeating the Brothers 3-2.
Things happened quickly in this match, starting at the outset as CBA went all-out on the attack, seeking the kind of quick start that had decimated most of its post-season opponents in the sectional and state tournament.
Then, in the 12th minute, Beacon’s Andre Alzate moved around the right of the Brothers’ defense, then one-touched to himself and put it past Finn Wheeler, the first time CBA had trailed in the entire post-season.
Less than two minutes later, it was 2-0, the energized Bulldogs pushing again to the top of the circle from where Brody Trimm sent a 20-yard shot into the net.
Both sides had great chances the rest of the half, but the Brothers still found itself staring at a two-goal deficit going into the break.
Not even three minutes passed in the second half before CBA pounced on a corner kick, Connor Morgia heading it home to cut Beacon’s margin in half.
Four minutes later, the Brothers were pushing again, forcing a free kick that, after several deflections in front of the Bulldogs’ net, was converted, tying the game 2-2.
Now it went back and forth, with Beacon and CBA both controlling long stretches yet unable to break the deadock.
But with 11:20 to play, the Bulldogs’ transition game again burned the Brothers’ defense, and it was Alzate who flicked home the go-ahead goal.
Though time remained, CBA was unable to answer it, and its 21-game unbeaten streak ended, as did its state title dreams. Goshen went on to Sunday’s state final, where it lost 4-0 to Long Island’s Amityville.
