Ryan Taylor Saves the Day for Absegami Boys' Soccer Team

There is always pressure in playoff soccer, but nothing quite matches the intensity of a penalty-kick shootout.

No one feels that pressure more than the keeper, but ’s Ryan Taylor didn’t let that bother him on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 1.

The Braves' keeper made two saves in the shootout, and Brolin Cruz netted the game-winner, as No. 8 Absegami defeated No. 9 Washington Township to advance to the quarterfinals of the Group IV South playoffs.

"It was very intense,” Absegami coach Bill Rose said. “It was definitely a nail-biting time. The kids were on edge and they did a great job.”

Absegami will travel to take on top seed Cherokee, which defeated No. 16 Southern, 2-1 in the opening round, on Nov. 4.

However, the Braves will take some time to celebrate Tuesday’s win.

Taylor, who made six stops during regulation and overtime, made saves on Washington Township’s third and fourth shooters in the penalty shootout.

“Any time you make penalty kick saves I would consider them spectacular,” Rose said.

He added: “He tries to see if the player tips off where they will shoot it and goes for the feeling and guesses right sometimes. That’s all part of it. You have to be lucky sometimes, I guess.”

Absegami’s Gianfranco Rifici, Patrick Griggs, Antony Maruca and Cruz all scored in the penalty shootout.

The Braves' Payne Vazquez scored Absegami’s only goal in regulation.

“I think both teams were evenly matched,” Rose said. “We knew it was going to be a tough match. Both teams had chances to win in regulation. Even in overtime it was back and forth. It was evenly played.”