Patriots Prevail in Overtime Playoff Thriller

Fresh off winning the National District title, the Yorktown Patriots got an early regional playoff scare from the feisty Herndon Hornets, winning 8-7 in the opening seconds of overtime. The Patriots trailed 7-5 going into the fourth quarter, but two great goals and a heroic performance from back up goalkeeper James Krech helped force overtime.  

Less than 30 seconds into the extra period, senior Stewart Micali came away with the opening draw and drove 30 yards into the heart the Herndon of defense before scoring and sending the home crowd into jubilation. Michael Crowe and Joe Crawford each had a pair of goals, and Cameron Cornelius had two assists to lead the Patriots, who will now advance in the tournament to host West Springfield Thursday night.

Early on, Herndon looked to be the stronger, more talented team.  They dominated possession around the Yorktown net and created a slew of opportunities. The Patriots looked rattled, struggling to connect passes and cheaply turning the ball over, allowing the Hornets to keep the pressure on. However, the Hornets were unable to capitalize, missing an empty net and hitting the crossbar in first few minutes.

The Patriots made them pay moments later with a great goal by Crowe.  Cornelius assisted Crawford on a pair of goals in as many minutes and just like that it was 3-0. 

But the Hornets quickly responded, capitalized on their first trip back into the Patriot zone.  Brad Mank then whipped in a spinning catch-and-shoot and the Hornets were right back in it.

Yorktown pushed the lead back to two with a goal from Jack Maher, but Herndon’s John Shull pulled the Hornets back to within one. Mank took over again, powering his way through the Yorktown defense to put in the equalizer.  A penalty gave Yorktown a great chance to recapture the lead with a man advantage, but the Hornet defense held strong and the teams went into the halftime break deadlocked at 4-4.

In the second half, the Hornets got back to the aggressive physical play that had given them the edge in the opening minutes, and this time were able to convert on the offensive end.  In a pivotal moment, Yorktown was called on a delayed penalty for slashing, but Herndon passed the ball around until Junior Austin miller gave them their first lead of the game.  Then with the man advantage Mank struck again to give the Hornets a two-goal cushion.

Just when it looked as if the Hornets had complete control, Crowe converted on another amazing run.  The slender attacker slithered his way through the Hornet defense before beating a defender with a reverse pirouette and powering it into the roof of the net.  A flashing penalty then gave Yorktown a great chance to equalize, but again the Herndon defense was up for the challenge, and midfielder Matt Stevens restored the two-goal cushion with nine seconds remaining in the third.

The Hornets began the fourth down a man while serving an illegal stick penalty, and although they were able to get back on the attack, they were again caught in transition as Yorktown senior Stephen Kang scored on the break.

A minute later, a blistering shot cracked the hand of Yorktown’s star keeper Jim Roberts, and reserve James Krech was called upon to save the day in the final stages of the biggest game in his Yorktown career.  The 6’4 230 pound netminder was up for the task, making his presence felt immediately with a pair of point blank saves.

Yorktown was able to get the ball back to Crowe in the Herndon zone, and the flashy playmaker went back and forth behind the goal before splitting the defense with a diagonal pass to Martim Cohen, who slammed it on the net to tie the game with six minutes remaining.

While both teams aggressively went for the winner, neither was willing to give it up, as the opposing defenses banded together to form walls in their respective nets.  Both teams threatened with half chances, but the teams concluded regulation tied at 7.  As fans and players alike braced themselves for four minutes of overtime action, no one could have seen what came next.

A scrappy draw led to a wild fight for possession, and when the ball popped loose to Yorktown’s Stewart Micali, the senior long stick midfielder saw he had a clear path to goal.  Two defenders converged at the last second, but a quick juke and a high release from the long stick rendered the Hornets helpless.  Just as soon as the overtime had started, the game had been won and the Patriots pounced on Micali in the far corner of the field to celebrate the victory.

The Patriots are now just one game way from qualifying for the state tournament.  The will play West Springfield, who defeated Madison 12-4, at home Thursday night at 7:00pm.