Men's Soccer | 11/6/2019 9:50:00 PM
ALBANY, N.Y. – From 0-3 to a chance at an Empire 8 title.
Sophomore
Winston Thomas (Rochester, N.Y./University Prep) netted the game-winner in the 94
th minute, and
Jon Nadolne (Port Washington, N.Y./Schreiber) made seven big saves, lifting the Saxons to a 1-0 victory over host Sage in the Empire 8 Semifinal from ACP Stadium Wednesday evening.
Alfred (8-11), the third seed coming into the contest, sees an improbable season continue as it wins its first Empire 8 tournament game in program history (1-2-4 all-time). The Saxons will have a chance to win their third league title on Saturday, traveling north to face top-seeded Nazareth in the Championship game on Saturday at a time to be determined. Alfred has won the last five matches against Empire 8 opponents. Sage, the second seed, finishes its season at 9-9.
Coming off the bench late in the second half, Thomas tallied both of Alfred's shots in the extra period. In the 93
rd minute, Thomas received a feed in the box, hitting it off a Sage defender out of play. On the ensuing corner in the 94
th minute,
Zachary Gloskin (New City, N.Y./Clarkstown South) lifted a high feed that fell in the scrum in front of net, the ball taking a serendipitous bounce to Thomas, who launched the feed with his foot over the goal line into net as the Alfred bench erupted in celebration.
"Coach [Head coach
Tracy Blake] told me to do one thing when I got in the game: to score a goal," said Thomas after the game. "The opportunity arose, and I just took it."
Nadolne was busy in net, parrying away a plethora of chances throughout. In the 11
th minute, Nadolne got his right hand on a high rocket shot in the corner by GIddel Alvarado. He would later repeat the feat in the 36
th minute, off a shot by Kevin Winglosky.
Sage had its best chance in the 22
nd minute. Off a Sage corner, Alberto Cannistraci headed the chance, but it was blocked by an AU defender. The ball bounced around the scrum in net, even hitting the crossbar, before Winglosky took a shot that sailed high.
Alfred had a pair of solid chances in the second half. In the 79
th minute, Gloskin received the ball off a corner at the top of the penalty box, with his shot deflecting off a Sage defender.
On a 3-on-1 break in the 86
th minute, Winglosky took a low chance that Nadolne was able to once again parry away. Alfred raced right back the field moments later, with Macias lifting a high shot from about 25 yards that Sage keeper was able to control.
Sage held a 24-13 shot advantage in regulation, but the Saxons defense was able to keep the Gators away from net in the extra period.