By PAUL GOTHAM
BRIGHTON, N.Y. — What started with a man in motion out of a football-like (the American version) alignment later included a career-first varsity goal. A back flip as part of a celebration capped off the night, and Spencerport boys’ soccer won a battle of reigning regional champions.
Three different players found the back of the net in Spencerport’s 3-1 win over host McQuaid.
Michael Tette provided the go-ahead score late in the first half. The sophomore midfielder used an element of surprise to score on a free kick. While the McQuaid defense readied its wall, Tette lined up his shot. The Spencerport Ranger didn’t ask for the customary 10 yards of space required from the defending team. Rather, he took advantage of an opening created while the Jesuit Knights attempted to get organized.
“I just talked to the referee, and he said I could shoot it,” Tette said of his first varsity goal. “They were pushed to the right post. Their wall was covering that side. Their goalie was stuck out of position. He didn’t expect me to hit it. Just took the shot and it went in.”
Spencerport set the tone from the beginning of the match. Using a “quads-four” set with four players lined up to the left of the center circle. Kyle Milburn went in motion. Jayden Mandarano took the kickoff and touched the ball in the direction of Spencerport’s goal. Milburn, in stride, ran on to the ball.
“We’re trying to unbalance teams is what it comes down to and create numerical advantages,” Spencerport head coach Jody Wyant said. “We work on that stuff in practice, and we expect the boys to come out and execute. They did a great job.”
Milburn caught an unsuspecting Jesuit Knight flat-footed in the center circle. Two touches later the senior forward was playing a service into the McQuaid 18-yard box. A real threat of a goal didn’t materialize, but the Rangers started the game dictating flow.
“We only get once or twice a game to do that, so you’ve got to be precise,” Wyant said. “We’ve taught whoever is quarterbacking, if you will, that they have to make the decision based on what the defense does. The start of it is set. Then after that it’s putting it in the kids’ hands and play soccer.”
Opening kickoff: @RangersBSoccer and @AthleticsMcQ Spencerport starts with a little chicanery. @SecVBoysSoccer pic.twitter.com/Q7t0sTWEvT
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 2, 2023
Trailing 1-nil, Milburn scored the equalizer on a play that showed Spencerport at its. best.
The Rangers’ defense turned away a McQuaid corner kick. Milburn ran on to the clearing 10 yards from midfield and played a ball along the right flank. Mandarano received, turned and led Daniel Weiss running the middle third. Weiss one-timed a diagonal ball to the right wing for Milburn who connected on his 10th goal of the season.
Three players needed seven touches and 60 yards to complete a play that took roughly nine seconds from beginning to end.
“They flew down the field,” Wyant said of his squad. “That’s exactly what we talk about – offensive transitions and defensive transitions. Once you get an opportunity if you see that space, just attack it, attack it.”
30’ Beauty of a counter off a corner kick attempt. Kyle Milburn applies the finishing touch with the helper from Jayden Mandarano. @RangersBSoccer 1 @AthleticsMcQ 1 pic.twitter.com/qjGhx5kjno
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 2, 2023
Mandarano added an insurance goal less than 11 minutes into the second half when he took a through ball from Milburn in the middle third and beat one defender before slotting near post.
“It felt really good getting that last goal to secure it,” Mandarano said.
The junior forward went head over heels from there.
“He’s really been wanting me to do that celebration,” Mandarano said of Milburn. “He’s been talking about it the whole year, waiting for me to do it.”
51’ Jayden Mandarano takes a through ball from Kyle Milburn and gives @RangersBSoccer a 3-1 lead. pic.twitter.com/dibNtGCRsr
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 2, 2023
Jack Distaffen made five saves in the win.
The win was the fourth straight for Spencerport (10-2-0) which dropped two of three at one point in mid-September.
“We’re trying to put together some good games,” Wyant said. “We know we had a tough week. I built a tough schedule intentionally because I wanted to put these guys to the test.”
McQuaid (6-3-1) had won four straight games heading into Monday’s matchup.
Kevin Miller gave the Jesuit Knights the lead less than 14 minutes into Monday’s contest.
15’ Kevin Miller gets the scoring started with a left-footed volley. @AthleticsMcQ pic.twitter.com/vH3A3YWbCk
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 2, 2023
Spencerport advanced to the NYS Class A semifinals last fall after ending a decade-long drought with its 13th sectional title in program history. At the same time, McQuaid reached the NYS Class AA finals for the second time since 2017 under then-head coach Nino Pilato. The Jesuit Knights won the 2017 title.
“We all say ‘steel sharpens steel,’ and this is a very good team,” Wyant said. “McQuaid is a very good team. They’re very well-coached. They having a winning mentality. They have a culture.
“We just got to keep the momentum rolling and stay focused. We talk about adversity and perseverance. Just try to keep building momentum until the second season. We still got a lot of work to do, but they’re focused.”
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