Bonilla lifts Hicksville in double OT
Hicksville's Marcos Bonilla celebrates with teammates as players and coaches rejoice after their 1-0 double overtime victory over Massapequa in a the Nassau Class AA semi-final playoff. (Nov. 6, 2011) Credit: James Escher
Christian Bonilla stood 30 yards away from the goal, uncovered and in the middle of the field. The Hicksville senior called for the ball and teammate James Myers obliged.
Bonilla took one touch before looking up at the goal and blasting the ball into the back of the net. The goal lifted top-seeded Hicksville to a 1-0 win in double overtime over No. 5 Massapequa in a Nassau Class AA boys soccer semifinal Sunday at Mitchel Athletic Complex.
The Comets (14-1-2) advance to the final against No. 10 Great Neck South at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hofstra.
"As soon as I saw the wide [open] net, I shot on target," Bonilla said. "Where I put my eyes -- that's where the ball was. This is going to be in my memory forever."
Bonilla's goal came after more than 104 minutes of scoreless soccer filled with tense moments.
Brendan Gallivan almost won the game for Massapequa (10-5-2) in the first overtime when his shot hit the crossbar and bounced on the goal line before getting cleared out by a Hicksville defender.
The Comets nearly scored with 12:25 left in regulation but the shot hit the top left corner of the goal post.
Massapequa midfielder Max Aronica aggravated a previous injury to his left knee in the 54th minute and did not return. The Chiefs dropped eight defenders to make up for his absence.
Massapequa's Sean Vinberg went down the left side before sending a cross to Dakota Barnathan, whose shot went wide of the far post in the 31st minute.
Brian McPartland made nine saves for Hicksville and Evan Perrino made 10 saves for Massapequa.
