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SportsWednesday, October 17, 2007 9:51 AM CDT
Central Catholic finds the net in last 90 seconds of game
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BLOOMINGTON -- Central Catholic High School midfielder Andy Beoletto tried to remain calm, but the euphoria from scoring a season-saving goal kept the junior trembling, even after the game.

“It’s a great feeling,” Beoletto said. “It’s one of the best wins we’ve had all year.”

In a scoreless game with less than 90 seconds remaining in the Class A IVC sectional quarterfinal, Central Catholic was granted a corner kick from the left end. Following Kendall Cox’s kick, the ball trickled inside the box and eventually cleared to a waiting Beoletto.

Knowing his only option was to head the ball toward the goal, Beoletto leaped high into the air and put a shot toward the goal. With the keeper blocked, the ball found the net and enabled the Saints to escape with a 1-0 win over Peoria Christian at the Prairie Cities Soccer Complex on Tuesday.

“This is probably one of the toughest teams we’re going to have to face,” Beoletto said. “It was a good win to get.”

Still, the win was surrounded by some controversy.

As both teams struggled for a scoring chance, the Saints (11-3-2) received a critical break that led to their game-winning goal. With 1 minute, 26 seconds remaining, Central Catholic was awarded a corner kick even though the linesman signaled a goal kick for the Chargers. The referee ruled that Peoria Christian kicked the ball out of bounds.

“One call’s not going to decide the game,” Charger coach Cory Hynek said. “I know the linesman had a goal kick, the guy in the middle (the referee) called a corner kick. We put ourselves in a position for that to be a factor. … It was controversial. I’m not 100 percent sure of what I saw. The guy in the middle had the call, so you have to go on with it.”

Central Catholic neither agreed nor disagreed on the call.

“I really was not paying attention,” Saint coach Patric Molinari said. “For me it was a good call.”

The Saints capitalized on their only real scoring chance of the game. Despite a strong southerly breeze that was at its back during the second half, Central Catholic’s first six second-half shots never found the net.

“We were getting a little frustrated, but we kept our heads up,” Beoletto said.

That enabled the Saints to continue their season. Central Catholic advances to Thursday’s 7 p.m. sectional semi-final against IVC.

“They really played the game,” Molinari said. “If it was physical from the other side, they were physical. If we had to run, we ran. We marked, we defended and we attacked. I had that expectation from them … I think (Tues-day) was the best game we’ve had so far.”

Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports.

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Reader comments on this story - 7 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

CCHS fAN wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:48 PM:

" I get tired of people who don't know us putting us down. Our school has come a long way and I am very proud of our kids. Go Saints "

to "who cares...." wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:16 PM:

" i'm guessing you went to uhigh when you were in high school and today you saw that central won a game in soccer so you thought "how can i try to put down central and look like a dumbass". i think it's safe to say you failed at putting them down but you know look like a dumbass. congrats "

To Who Cares wrote on Oct 17, 2007 2:03 PM:

" Find it sad when one speaks with no basis, assumes with no justification and tries to find excuses when there are none. Multilplier - you are obviously implying recruitment - once again the facts get in the way. How many of those players did not attend one of the Catholic grade schools (or perhaps the kindergaten needed some soccer players and recruited them young). You are obviously bitter - perhaps seeing so much success at a school of 350 will do that. Football, basketball and now soccer - GO SAINTS "

to: who cares wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:16 PM:

" i suppose that cc is know going to be accused of recruiting? gets a little old hearing people crying about cc winning. "

Re: Who cares wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:38 AM:

" I believe the CCHS beat BHS 2-0; played West very strong with a 5-3 defeat, and tied NCHS. If you have to ask if they even won a game at Intercity I am guessing you dont' follow the scores, just here to bash on CCHS. Maybe you should do some research before making a fool of yourself and posting questions that make you look like a fool. Oh and I am an BHS Fan! GREAT JOB guys and best of luck Thursday! GO SAINTS!!!!! "

soccerfan wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:38 AM:

" CCHS beat BHS and tied NCHS. They also played strongly against West. Get your facts straight and quit hating the Saints. "

Who cares.... wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:18 AM:

" Did Central even win a game in the intercity...I don't think so! THIS IS WAY THE MULITPLIER BY THE IHSA IS NO GOOD!!!!!!! "

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