
Avon’s Daniel Shayler (11) bends back to control a ball off his chest in Thursday’s Class L game in Hartford. Avon won, 2-1 in OT. Teammate Brendon Brown (7) is nearby.
HARTFORD, Nov. 12 – As Avon’s Class L second round game with the No. 3 University/Prince Tech boys soccer team progressed, you could see the tension building on the field with the defending Class L champion Falcons. There was some barking among teammates, frustration over missed passes and wasted opportunities.
The Falcons took a one-goal lead with just 12:14 gone in the game. Avon dominated the first half and had several other opportunities but couldn’t cash in. University/Prince Tech scored on its second shot of the game to tie it up with 7:59 left in the first half.
Yes, the Hawks were 14-0-1 and champions in the Constitution State Conference. But the Falcons expected to pull away and the frustration began to build the longer the game went on.
Avon finally prevailed. With 14 seconds left in the first 10-minute overtime period, Falcon goalie Danny Magrini made a save and quickly punted the ball to midfield. Teammate Jack Keenan fought off a Hawk defender and headed the ball forward into open space.
Sophomore Kobe Barnes chased down the ball and went a one-on-one with goalie Dominick Hollister. Racing at full speed, Barnes caught with the ball and tapped it past Hollister with two seconds left for the game-winning score.
No. 14 ranked Avon (13-5) held the Hawks at bay in the second 10-minute overtime period to earn a 2-1 victory and advance to Saturday’s quarterfinals at No. 11 Guilford on the road at 2 p.m. Guilford (13-3-2) eliminated E.O. Smith on penalty kicks, 4-2 on Thursday. Avon shutout Guilford in the quarterfinals a year ago, 3-0, on the way to the Class L title game.

Avon’s Jack Keenan (12) controls the ball in Thursday’s Class L second round victory over No. 3 University/Prince Tech in Hartford.
“I thought we showed a lot of character to score at the end of overtime and hold on at the end,” Avon coach David Zlatin said. “We played a good first half. We could’ve scored more. Credit them for capitalizing on their one good chance (in the first half) and then outplaying us in the second half.”
It was the first loss of the season for the Hawks, now 14-1-1.
“I thought we gave them everything they could handle,” University/Prince Tech coach John Lowney said. “But they also gave us everything we could handle back. They’re a good team. We’re a good team.”
The Falcons took a 1-0 lead when Brendon Brown made a nice cross across the center of the penalty area and Daniel Shayler raised his foot and deflected the ball past Hollister with 27:46 gone in the first half.
The Hawks continually had their defenders creeping forward to help defuse Avon’s long-range passing. The Falcons were called for offsides on numerous occasions throughout the contest.
University/Prince Tech got on the board with 7:59 remaining in the first half when Mike Haughton found himself able to move through the Avon defense and get enough space to get a shot past Magrini.
Avon outshot the Hawks, 12-4 in the first half but it was tied. University/Prince Tech got more opportunities in the second half. Magrini had to make a fantastic save in the second half when Haughton stole the ball and ripped a shot with his left foot at Magrini, who made a great save to keep the game tied.
The game went into overtime before Avon scored at the end of the first OT session.
“Danny kept us in the game with some huge saves in the second half,” Zlatin said. “Then, he had the foresight to play (the ball) long. There was a nice header from Jack (Keenan) and Kobe tucked it away just before time ran out.”
It was Barnes’ sixth goal in the past nine games and his third postseason goal in four games.
“It was a character building win for our team,” Zlatin said, “so, we’ll go on from here.”
“I can’t say we had a great game. I can’t say we had a lousy game,” Lowney said. “We played in the range we normally play. We had some kids hurt and they played hurt. I wish (Tyler Santor) wasn’t hurt. He is our best player.”
Avon outshot the Hawks, 23-15 with Magrini making six stops in net. Hawk goalie Dominick Hollister made eight saves. Avon had an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.
Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 30 years.


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