Tigers outlast Quakers
PROVIDENCE — It was a tough, hard fought game. In the end, the Tolman High School boys’ soccer team (11-4-2) survived double overtime and eight rounds of penalty kicks and advanced to the Division 1 semifinals with a thrilling 3-2 win over Moses Brown on Sunday afternoon.
The emotions felt by the Tigers as they rushed onto Campanella Field was a mix of jubilation and sheer relief.
“This is about as crazy as it gets in high school soccer,” Tolman head coach Dan Silva
said to his team. “That’s about as crazy as it gets.”
Junior goalie Nelton Semedo, who recorded more than a dozen saves, scored the game-winning goal during the penalty kicks.
“Nelton hasn’t lost a game since we’ve been playing this season. I was worried that he didn’t want to take one. If he took [a shot] and we lost, he probably wouldn’t had slept for about a year. I’m just so happy we got the win and he was a part of it,” said Silva.
The Tigers made eight out of their nine penalty kicks, while the Quakers only connected on seven.
“With penalties, you just never know. We practice that, but you just never want to be in that situation. We had tons of time to prepare for this game, so we were ready,” said Silva.
Semedo said he was just happy to play well and get the win over a tough opponent, but admitted he was nervous during his game-winning goal.
“I’m not going to lie, I was shaking,” said Semedo. “I’m not used to taking them, but I just tried to get in that corner, which I always go to. It went in and that’s all that matters to me.”
The Tigers got on the scoreboard first when senior Jagger Pereira scored right over the diving Quakers goalie with two minutes remaining in the first period.
“I thought we scored a great goal to start off,” said Silva. “Overall, I thought we played well. Overall, I thought we were the better team.”
The Quakers and Tigers traded shot for shot literally during the second half, however, the Tigers missed several kicks as strong winds began to pick up.
“Two really, really strong teams. Back and forth, 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, then, you usually want to end a penalty shootout in five shots and we were going into eight, nine deep. I’m just so happy for these kids.”
Junior Edson Viera gave Tolman a 2-1 lead late during the second period, however, the Quakers scored the game-tying goal on a deflection. It appeared that Nelton initially tipped it, but the ball bounced and the Quakers capitalized on the second chance goal. “I knew I just had to stay strong and not let that get into my head,” he said.
The Quakers held an advantage in penalty kicks, however, there were several highly questionable calls by the referees.
“These kids are very tough kids,” said Silva. “You can see it coming out, it’s playoff time and these seniors are starting to rise up to the occasion and be leaders, and that’s what we need.”
“It was important to me as a player to get this win. I wanted to come out strong, and not make any mistakes and just wanted to play well,” said Semedo Jr.
The Tigers will now turn their attention to North Kingstown High School, who they will face Thursday night.
“It’s going to be really difficult. They’re the No. 1 seed, we’re the No. 5 seed, but anything is possible,” said Silva. “Now, we just move forward. It’s one game at a time right now.”