Key quiets doubters with a second straight C Conference soccer title

by James Peters

Reports of the demise of Key School’s soccer program were greatly exaggerated.

The Obezags proved to be the best team in the MIAA C Conference for a second straight season following Sunday’s 3-1 penalty shootout victory against second-seeded Friends at Loyola University’s Ridley Athletic Complex.

“We lost to Beth Tfiloh 4-nil (Oct. 28),” said Key senior midfielder Jack Moran, who sealed the team’s back-to-back title run  with a successful penalty kick into the right-hand corner. “I think that inflamed us because their parents were saying this year’s team is not as good as last year’s team. We had some injuries early on, but all the boys worked so hard, and hey, back-to-back (titles) for the first time in school history, I’m so proud.”

Moran stepped to the spot with his squad leading 2-1 on penalty kicks following successful attempts from teammates Ben Harcourt and Alex Bubnov, sandwiched around two saves by Friends goalkeeper William Clark.

“I’ve been six for six (at penalty kicks) in the last two practices,” Moran said. “As soon as it went to penalties, I knew we were going to win it. There was no doubt in my mind.”

While the fifth-seeded Obezags (9-6-3 overall) punched in a trio of penalty kicks, the Quakers (10-4-3) were limited to one on two errant strikes that flew over the goal and a huge save on Friends’ first attempt by Key goalkeeper Teo LaPointe.

“It’s definitely nervous, but I’ve always been confident with PKs on our team,”  said LaPointe, who was the Most Valuable Player of the title match. “We’ve been especially good at it, but just worried for myself, not for the team. Last year, I was on the bench cheering on this team. To actually help win the game (this year) is amazing.”

Both defenses dictated play in the first half, as Friends registered the only three shots, one of which was on target, and all three corner kicks. Nicolas Zapata and Qadeer Aslam produced the best chances to score in the opening 40 minutes, but Zapata’s header on a corner flew over the goal, and Aslam’s line drive shot was easily corralled by LaPointe.

The Quakers were the more dangerous team in the second half as well, recording five shots, including a pair on goal that were saved by LaPointe, including a blast off the foot of Aslam. A sliding deflection by Clark and a defender save by Key’s John Fisher on an empty net attempt by the Quakers in the first overtime period forced a second extra session that played out much less dramatically to force the shootout.

“We dominated the game,” Friends coach Jonatos Melo said. “We had 80 percent of the possession, but that’s soccer. You’ve got to put one in. They did a good job…defending. We did our best. We did everything we could. I’m really proud of the boys. The boys had a great season.”