By Larry Moko
A penalty-shot goal seconds before halftime sparked the St. Thomas More Knights to victory in Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic senior boys' high school soccer action Tuesday.
The shot from the spot by striker Elijah Montague helped More to a come-from-behind 4-1 decision over the visiting Bishop Ryan Celtics.
It was More's second win in as many starts, while Bishop Ryan's record slipped to 1-1.
"That penalty shot in the last 30 seconds of the half was kind of a turning point," Celtics coach Joe Cvitak said.
Bishop Ryan had taken the lead when Mateus Grubasz converted a corner kick by Tino Angelini.
In the final 40 minutes, however, the Knights took control and struck for goals by Jacabo Lopez, Marquis Jones and Giovanni Puglese.
"The wind changed and having the wind in the second half made a big difference," More coach Dino Perri said.
While pleased with the result, the More coach pointed out that last season's OFSAA bronze- medal winners from BR were understaffed for the day (only one substitution on the bench).
"It wasn't a true indication of what they can bring," he said. "But, hey, whenever you're 2-0 you've got to be happy."
Perri said a couple of his team's goals were of highlight-reel quality.
The winning marker came on a diving header by Lopez. Said Perri: "He was in good position to score and it was a really nice service from Diago Rocha."
Also outstanding was a run down the middle by Puglese, capped by his 25-yard blast that found the net. That play rounded out the scoring.
"We have a decent team," Perri said. "We're pretty good in all positions. We're competitive for sure."
Bishop Ryan entered the contest having opened the season with a 4-1 victory over the St. Mary Crusaders. More's win was 1-0 against the Bishop Tonnos Titans.
"All credit to St. Thomas More," the Celtics coach said. "They put four in on us."
Cvitak agreed that his squad was missing quite a few players against the Knights.
"I'm proud of the way the guys played," he said. "We were in it right until the mid point of the second half. We played hard.
"This is a completely new team from last year. Fifteen Grade 12s are gone."
Cvitak is confident the Celtics can return to their winning ways. "We've played in some tournaments and our team looks pretty good."
Perri said the league appears talented and balanced this season.
In other games Tuesday, the St. John Henry Newman Cardinals retained a share of first place with a 3-1 victory over the ACMT Jaguars. Elsewhere, Tonnos topped the St. Jean de Brebeuf Braves, 4-0, and St. Mary edged the Cathedral Gaels, 1-0.
Photos by Richard Andoga
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