November 7, 2014

Cavalluzzo sends Marauders to CIS men’s soccer championship Final Four

CHARLOTTETOWN (CIS) – McMaster goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo went from villain to hero in a matter of seconds as the Marauders defeated AUS champion UNB on kicks after the teams had tied 1-1 after regulation in the first quarter-final of the CIS men’s soccer championship at the University of Prince Edward Island, Thursday morning.

CHARLOTTETOWN (CIS) – McMaster goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo went from villain to hero in a matter of seconds as the Marauders defeated AUS champion UNB on kicks after the teams had tied 1-1 after regulation in the first quarter-final of the CIS men's soccer championship at the University of Prince Edward Island, Thursday morning.

Online Boxscore: CLICK HERE

Championship Site: CLICK HERE

Cavalluzzo was sent to take the first of the kicks, which was well saved by his opposite number, Aaron McMurray, in the UNB goal. He soon made amends however by saving three of the Varsity Reds kicks to book his team into Friday's first semifinal at 4 p.m. AST.

It marks the first Final Four appearance for McMaster since a bronze-medal finish in 1994.

It was a dramatic finale to a game which had every spectator enthralled, as Paterson Farrell's seventh-minute goal looked to have been enough, before a Diego Padilha's free-kick deep into stoppage time rescued the game for UNB.

Both teams started with great intensity but it was the Marauders who took an early lead when good work by right wing-back Marco Gennaccaro saw the ball played inside to Farrell whose first-time shot found the roof of the net.

Both teams had chances that came and went, with Marauders striker Mark Reilly hitting a post with a header and Shea Nordheim having some half-chances for UNB that he couldn't quite put away.

With the clock winding down, referee Schaap indicated that there would be four additional minutes played, and it was in that final minutes that Padilha sent a free-kick across that evaded everybody to nestle in the corner of the net.

Cue pandemonium from the UNB bench and supporters, and despite carrying the play in most of extra-time, they could not carry that momentum into a memorable win.

When penalties began both teams missed their first kicks, and when McMurray made a second save it was advantage UNB. However, that is when Cavalluzzo pulled through for his team, and his excellent stop from Padhila secured McMaster's place in Friday's semi-final.

"I knew after the first miss it was up to me to make things right, and I was just pleased to be able to make things right," said the Marauders keeper at the end of the game. "Right now we will regroup and look forward to the semifinal."

It was a heartbreaking loss for the Varsity Reds, last year's CIS bronze medallists, who were undefeated entering the 2014 tournament after going 11-0-2 in conference play and 2-0 in the AUS playoffs. They move to the consolation side of the draw and will be back on the pitch Friday at 11 a.m.

SCORING SUMMARY:

MAC 1-0-0-0: 2 (3-2 in PK)
UNB 0-1-0-0: 1

First Half
1. MAC Paterson Farrell (1), 7^th

Second Half

2. UNB Diego Padilha (1), 90^th (+3)

Extra Time (2 x 15 mins - no golden goal)

(no scoring)

Kicks

MAC Angelo Cavalluzzo, saved (Aaron McMurray)

UNB Victor Karosan, saved (Angelo Cavalluzzo)

MAC David Serafini, saved (Aaron McMurray)

UNB Robert Park, goal

MAC Gersi Xhuti, goal