Stallone's goal gives Chaminade state championship
Chaminade senior Jonathan Stallone (right) celebrates scoring the game winning goal on an assist by junior Terence McGovern (left) that defeated St. Francis Prep 1-0 in double overtime during the championship game of the CHSAA Boys Soccer New York State Final at Belson Stadium on the campus of St. John's University. (Nov. 13, 2010) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
Chaminade's Jon Stallone said his team wanted to be remembered.
And they will be, as the Flyers won the CHSAA boys soccer state championship, 1-0, in double overtime against St. Francis Prep at St. John's University's Belson Stadium Saturday.
Stallone scored the game-winning goal from less than 10 yards out on an assist from Terence McGovern with 3:54 left in the second overtime to give Chaminade its fourth state championship in program history and first since 2007.
"That was probably my best moment in soccer,'' Stallone said. "I've never won a game like this; that just put the icing on the cake.
"It's an indescribable feeling, like time stops.''
McGovern, a defensive player, came upfield and took the ball from Chaminade's Nick Codispoti, who was battling a St. Francis Prep defender for possession just outside of the 18-yard box.
"I decided to get the ball and I put it across,'' said McGovern, who recently was named a captain for next year's squad. "Jon's basically a ball magnet; if I put it in I knew he was going to get it.''
Chaminade coach Mike Gallagher praised McGovern's instinct to make a game-changing play.
"He's the left back so he went 70 yards,'' Gallagher said. "[Without McGovern] the goal does not occur.''
After 80 minutes of scoreless play in regulation, Chaminade made an adjustment in overtime that proved to be crucial.
"We changed the formation in the overtime to help out the guys in the middle,'' Gallagher said. "We left Jon Stallone high and tried to get in behind their defense when it presented itself.''
Chaminade (18-1-3), ranked ninth nationally in the FAB 50 ESPN RISE rankings, played strong defensively, blocking numerous St. Francis Prep shot attempts.
Ricky Berotti made three saves for Chaminade, the biggest coming in the 69th minute when he knocked a header by St. Francis Prep's Daniel Begonja over the crossbar.
Steven Reid made four saves for St. Francis Prep (16-3).
Gallagher said he was going to make his team run additional sprints at practice after they doused him with water after their victory over St. Anthony's last weekend to advance to the state semifinals. The Flyers drenched their coach again Saturday but Gallagher said he can cope with it this time.
"I'll take the cold, wet, dampness of another state championship,'' Gallagher said. "It's pretty satisfying.''
