Top-seeded Cornwall needs double-OT to dispatch No. 2 Goshen in Section 9-AA boys soccer
Slav Mishkovski was tired after playing 100 minutes of spirited soccer against chief rival Goshen on the first bitter cold night of the waning fall season.
“You just want to get out of there at some point,’’ he said.
Mired in a scoreless draw with the Gladiators in the Section 9 Class AA final, Cornwall caught a break when a stiff wind died down, taking away a potential disadvantage in the second overtime. Only 10 minutes away from the unpredictability of a shootout, Cornwall pressed deep and earned a corner kick.
Freshman Aaron Schulman delivered a bending volley over jockeying players to a perfect location, on the far side of the penalty box and some 3 yards off the goalline.
“I'm fatigued,’’ Mishkovski said, “but I see the ball coming in and I'm just like, ‘Let's finish it off.’ The ball comes right to me and I headed it into the back of the net.’’
His immediate thought was “I just won a section final!’’ and Mishkovski bolted toward the play’s originating spot with his jubilant teammates in tow.
“It’s the biggest goal I have ever scored in my life,’’ he said.
Cornwall co-coach Matt Quick said any one of his players could have come up with a big goal but he’s not surprised Mishkovski was the one.
“He’s one of our targets,’’ Quick said of Mishkovski, who can play multiple positions. “We like his size. We like his energy and he really wears guys down.’’
Coming together
Cornwall was only a No. 4 seed last year but the Dragons were very bothered that they lost to No. 2 Beacon in the Class A finals. Immediately, the returning players created a group text chat, for support and encouragement.
“We texted in that group chat, day and night,’’ said senior forward and co-captain Ellis Urgent. A common thread was complaining about how much offseason running Quick had his players do but they all realize now how valuable that training paid off dividends.
“It’s the Brotherhood,’’ Urgent noted of a group that has grown close, visiting local establishments like Starbucks and Pizza Heaven.
“I’ve made some incredible friends here,’’ Mishkovski said.
“To have 22, 23 guys that connect and do stuff on and off the field,’’ Quick said, “It just makes this much more special.’’
By the numbers
Cornwall (14-2-2) is ranked No. 18 in the state sportswriters Class A poll – a new poll should be released on Tuesday. … The Dragons have won six in a row, all by shutout. The last goal allowed was Oct. 9 against Section 1-AAA champ Arlington. … Cornwall won both meetings at the Goshen Coliseum forged a 2-2 tie at home on Oct. 4. … Goshen opened the season 6-0-1 but injuries mounted and the Gladiators went 3-5-2 the rest of the way.
They said it
“I just think our decision-making sometimes is a little hurried. … Some of my players are inexperienced but tremendously skilled. The Cornwall players … they’re a little more polished.’’ – Goshen coach Mike Kelly
Up next
State powerhouse and top-ranked Scarsdale from Section 1 takes on No. 11 and Section 4 champ Ithaca in a regional semifinal on Wednesday, that winner facing Cornwall on Saturday at F.D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park. Anticipating the matchup, Quick said he’s seen Scarsdale a number of times this season and knows the task will not be easy.
Girls soccer: Check out where our Section 9 champs are playing in states
Kelly said Goshen loses a good number of seniors and “there will be big holes to fill.’’
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Cornwall wins Section 9-AA boys soccer title in OT vs. Goshen
