By Larry Moko
St. John Henry Newman's 2026 boys' high school soccer season has come full circle.
It began in Grimsby and it will end in Grimsby.
The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic champion Newman Cardinals defeated Burlington's Assumption Crusaders, 3-1, in overtime Tuesday to gain a AAA berth to the upcoming OFSAA championships in Grimsby.
That provincial showcase tournament is scheduled for June 4-6 at Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School and Southward Community Park.
"Our motto for today's game was 'Let's Get Back to Grimsby,'" Newman coach Gerry Moretuzzo said. "That's where we played our first exhibition game."
Newman's qualifying victory over the visiting Halton Catholic champion was a Golden Horseshoe Athletic Conference semifinal. At the other semifinal, the Bishop Ryan Celtics -- Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic finalists -- bowed out with a 2-1 loss in Oakville to the Garth Webb Chargers.
Both the Celtics and the Cardinals brought home medals from the 2025 OFSAA tournament.
The Cardinals broke a 1-1 tie in the final minute of the second 10-minute overtime period on a goal by Damian Lucato. On the play, he headed teammate Nico Angelini's corner kick into the net.
Then, in the final seconds, Lucas Liszek dribbled the ball through a handful of defenders before booting in the insurance marker.
"In the last minute we got a corner and put it away," Lucato said. "We executed what we do in practice. It worked. I headed it over the goalie and we're in OFSAA now."
Lucato didn't start the game. He came on for the final 10 minutes of regulation. An injury forced the Cardinals to shift several players around at the same time Lucato was inserted into the lineup.
"I was trying to make a decision on a couple of guys," the veteran Newman coach explained. "My assistant coach said he had a feeling Lucato would bring it. He seems to score in big games. He's been opportunistic all year."
According to Moretuzzo, Newman spends much of its time at practice working on set pieces and corners.
"We've got some designated plays for three or four tall guys," he said. "Lucato came out of nowhere and got up in the air to get a header."
Moretuzzo said he wants all of his players to develop a "Why Not Me?" attitude when entering the action. "They should have the feeling, why can't it be me to have a big moment in a game? Maybe it's going to be me today."
Afef Binafif of Newman opened the scoring before Assumption's Renzo Borges tied it in the first minute of the second half.
The Crusaders improved noticeably on the attack after the halftime break.
"At the beginning," Assumption coch David Giannotti said, "we gave them a lot of respect. They deserved it. Then, we realized we deserved that same respect. We stepped up to the level of competition at the half-way mark."
Giannotti admitted the outcome was "heartbreaking" but he was proud of his team's effort and their accomplishments this season -- including playoff victories of Corpus Christi, Aquinas and Loyola.
"I thought we played really well in the first half," Moretuzzo said. "Assumption came out hard and (on the tying goal) we made a mistake at the back. I give them credit. They're a good team."
It was the first goal the Cardinals have allowed in their four playoff starts. The win also extended Newman's unbeaten streak this season to 11 games (one tie).
For OFSAA seeding purposes, Garth Webb will travel to Newman for a GHAC final on May 28.
The Cardinals will be making their fourth consecutive appearance at the provincial championships.
"Getting to OFSAA doesn't get old," Moretuzzo said.
Photos by Richard Andoga
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