The defending CHSAA “B” champions, Salesian High School, lost in dramatic fashion to Bishop Ford at Aviator Field by the score of 2-1 Tuesday in the semi-final round of the CHSAA Intersectional Championship.
From the start of the game both teams were evenly matched. Both defenses countered the opposition, holding the game scoreless for 25 minutes of the first half.
With 20:44 remaining in the first, Bishop Ford forward Oscar Castillo, scored a blooper just over the stretching hand of Salesian goalie Nick Camacho, breaking the tie and giving Ford a one-goal advantage going into halftime.
“We haven’t contested them at all,” said Daniel Romero, Salesian head coach.
The second half proved to be difficult for the Salesian Eagles when Ford’s James Caicedo scored off a corner kick, expanding the lead to 2-0.
In an attempt to wake the sleeping Eagles, team captain, Tom Manz motivated his team immediately following the second Falcon goal.
With 23:23 left in the game, Tom Manz scored Salesian’s first goal of the game which provided the spark that Salesian needed to get back in game and closed Ford’s lead to 2-1.
Salesian’s best threat to tie the game came in a corner kick with less than 10 minutes remaining. The attempt sailed wide, ending all serious attempts for Salesian to come from behind.
Salesian completes its season as the CHSAA “B” Division Champions for the Bronx, Manhattan and Westchester.
