Avon Boys Soccer Heads to the State Quarterfinals

Penalty kicks advanced Avon High (12-3-1) to the quarterfinals of the Class L state soccer tournament Monday following a 1-1 score at the end of regulation against tenth-seeded E.O. Smith (10-3-4).

The first half of the match pitted two very nervous teams trying to settle into the game. At 8:56 into the first half, an unfortunate handball in the Avon Falcons' box resulted in a penalty kick for E.O. Smith, creating discord in the score as Luke Melody converted for the early 1-0 lead.

The teams battled for control of the ball at both ends of the field. Even though seventh-seeded Avon outshot E.O. Smith 13-4 going into the halftime break, sound goaltending by E.O. Smith's Xavier Fegan held the Pathers' lead during the first period.

At the half, Avon players could be heard venting their frustration with the first half results.

"We are the better team out there and everybody here knows it!", shouted one of the Falcons players.

Avon head coach Patrick Mulligan calmly spoke, assuring them, "We are the better team. Don't panic. Just go out there in the second half and have fun."

It was clear that Mulligan's words spoke volumes to his players as Avon dominated the second half by controlling the ball and the playing field. At 17:27 into the second half, Andrew Montano found the back of the net to even the score at 1-1. Avon continued to dominate the remainder of the second half outshooting E.O. Smith 12-1.

If it weren't for the 16 saves by E.O. Smith's Fegan, the game would have likely been over after regulation.

However, the game did go into overtime, with Avon continuing their dominant play through both 10 minute overtime periods, yet no goals were scored. That meant penalty kicks. The teams selected their five shooters and began the alternating sequence.

Round 1: 0-0

Montano stepped up as Avon's first shooter - surprisingly, he hit the goalpost to give E.O. Smith an early advantage should they score. E.O. Smith player Thomas Giardina's shot clanged the crossbar and the shootout remained scoreless after the first round.

Round 2: 1-0

Avon's Conor Lanahan confidently put his shot past Fegan to give Avon a 1-0 advantage. Avon goalkeeper Alex Andrews turned away the shot from the Panthers' Melody to keep the score at 1-0

Round 3: 2-0

Avon's Max Leopold continued the scoring, putting his shot past Fegan. Alex Andrews came up with yet another save on the shot by E.O. Smith player John Estes, increasing the Avon margin 2-0

Round 4: 3-0 (Final score)

Needing only one more goal to end it, Avon's Tyler Bonini wasted no time to put an end to the match when his shot found the back of the net.

At the end of the game, Mulligan said, "We knew it would only be a matter of time before we would score (in the second half). We simply had the belief to get it done."

He praised performances by seniors Tyler Bonini and Nick Drago as outstanding players of the match. While Andrews only faced five shots from E.O. Smith during regulation and overtime play, it is safe to say that it was his two saves in the shootout made a difference in the final outcome.

With the win, Avon moves on to the quarterfinal round to face second seed RHAM (13-0-4) away at 2 p.m. on Nov. 16.