Byer’s overtime goal gives C-M WPIAL title over Fox Chapel
Canon-McMillan players celebrate their WPIAL soccer championship after edging Fox Chapel, 2-1, in overtime.
Canon-McMillan’s Nick Sodini (No. 16) celebrates with Brandon Byers (No. 7) after he scored on a penalty kick to tie the match, 1-1, with Fox Chapel. With 7:58 to play in overtime, Byers scored the game-winning goal, lifting the Big Macs to victory, 2-1, and the WPIAL Class AAA boys’ soccer championship.
Canon-McMillan’s Luke Maher (10) and Fox Chapel’s Carson Cohen battle for possession Friday night in the WPIAL Class AAA boys championship game.
Despite the defensive efforts of Canon-McMillan defenders Ryan Burke (No. 2) and Alex Ablak (No. 22), Kota Furuhata of Fox Chapel heads the ball into the goal to give the Foxes a 1-0 lead over the Big Macs in the first half of the WPIAL Class AAA boys’ soccer championship game at Highmark Stadium.
PITTSBURGH – Someone will have to find a creative nickname for Canon-McMillan’s boys soccer team. Amidst a memorable postseason that has included a unique upset and incredible defense, the Big Macs added late heroics to the list.
When the match seemed far from their grasp in the final minutes, a foul changed the narrative from a devastating loss to a thrilling match that returned the WPIAL championship to Canon-McMillan.
The excitement didn’t stop at the ensuing penalty-kick goal. It ended with the Big Macs leaving Highmark Stadium as champions and it was a sophomore that clinched the win.
After senior striker Nick Sodini’s penalty kick goal late in regulation, sophomore forward Brandon Byer scored with 7:58 left in the first overtime to clinch a 2-1 victory over second-seeded Fox Chapel for the WPIAL Class AAA title.
“I’ve had that shot so many times during the season,” Byer said. “It was my shot and I knew I was going to make it. I could not believe it. It’s amazing. I still don’t believe it. It’s insane.”
The Big Macs (18-3) will face either District 10 champion Cathedral Prep or District 9 champion DuBois in the first round of the PIAA playoffs Tuesday at a site and time to be determined. The Foxes (17-2-1), meanwhile, will play the District 3 runner up – either Central York or Lower Dauphin.
Following a Fox Chapel turnover, the Big Macs went on the counter attack with senior midfielder Luke Maher dribbling toward the attacking third. He kicked a slot pass toward the weak side, where Byer ran over the ball and put a kick in stride that beat the diving keeper to the far side for the deciding goal just more than two minutes into overtime.
The goal came after Byer was switched with defender Jonah Moore during the second half, but as overtime began, head coach Larry Fingers reverted to his original plan.
Trailing 1-0, the Big Macs were scrambling in the final minutes and Fox Chapel continued to press in the attacking third, but C-M forced a turnover and went on the counter attack, pushing the ball into the five-yard box, where a foul was called. The Big Macs were given a penalty kick with 1:31 left in regulation.
Sodini, an all-state selection, lined up, and drilled a low shot that snuck inside the right post to tie it 1-1 for his 31st goal of the season. It lit a fire under the Big Macs’ sideline and brought C-M’s fans back to their feet.
“We were hoping for something good to happen and the PK was called,” Sodini said. “I was pretty nervous, but I tried to stay calm and put it where I usually put it. The goalie just couldn’t get to it.”
Fox Chapel head coach Erik Ingram saw the title slip from the Foxes’ grasp. Despite controlling the midfield and frustrating C-M throughout the night, it came down to one error.
“We had the game in the bag and we made a crucial mistake in the attack,” Fox Chapel head coach Erik Ingram said. It led to the quick counter and we didn’t have the numbers back that we wanted. It’s something we’ll get better from the couple players involved will get better from it. I didn’t expect that. I didn’t see it coming.”
Canon-McMillan struggled pushing the ball through the midfield in the first half, often turning it over in its own end and giving the Foxes an easy counter attack. Fox Chapel’s pressure translated into eight first-half corner kicks and all it needed was one to grab the lead in the 20th minute.
The Big Macs kicked a ball past their goal line to give the Foxes a corner kick. Junior midfielder Nathan Wecht drilled the set piece with his left foot and into the 5-yard box, where senior Kota Furuhata fought through three C-M players to head the ball into the back-right corner of the net.
The Foxes put five players behind the ball, so in the second half, Canon-McMillan utilized four forwards to create more room. It led to Sodini’s perfect penalty shot and Byer’s game-winning goal.
“This is what you dream about your whole life,” Byer said. “It’s awesome.”