Oniah pushes Munster over top in rival match
Senior winger contributes goal, assist in conference win against Highland
Munster coach Jim Prasopoulos lit up when discussing the performance of senior winger Afam Oniah.
“Afam’s playing out of his mind,” Prasopoulos said. “That kid from his freshman year to his senior year, it’s extraordinary. He can take constructive criticism, and he has this engine that never stops. I love that about him.”
Oniah had a goal and an assist Wednesday night to spark visiting Munster to a 3-0 Northwest Crossroads Conference win against Highland.
Senior winger Ethan Orange scored two goals for the Mustangs (6-2-1, 3-0), who took a significant step toward adding to their collection of conference titles by defeating the Trojans (5-3-1, 2-1).
“This basically was the game to decide it,” Oniah said. “It’s a huge rivalry, so this is a big win.
“Coach said we might see them again, so we have to be prepared because it was a rough game. They were getting physical, and we have to keep that in the back of our heads if we see them again.”
Indeed, tempers flared during the game’s latter stages. Highland spent the final 5:45 with 10 players on the field after receiving a red card.
“Our guys were in the game for most of the game,” Highland coach Mark Tanis said. “A few guys lost their heads toward the end. It got a little crazy there, but it’s going to be a hard-fought game between us and Munster every single time.”
Oniah gave Munster a 1-0 lead with 24 minutes left in the first half when he headed home Gianluca Scalzo’s free kick.
“He looked at me the whole time,” Oniah said of Scalzo. “We connected. Once I made connection with the ball, it was, like, ‘It’s already in the net.’ ”
Orange made it 2-0 with less than 20 minutes left in the game, converting a pass from Michael Cundiff after a Highland giveaway in the back.
Oniah created the final goal with 13 minutes remaining. He cut through the defense and, after his initial shot was stopped, collected the rebound amid a scramble and fed Orange for the finish.
“I was really pleased with our energy level,” Prasopoulos said. “Highland’s always a competitive team. I was just happy we came out and tried to take control of the game from the beginning, and we were pretty consistent with that.
“It was a great conference win, a solid win. It was just a really nice game, and I’m proud of the kids.”
Junior goalkeeper Logan Carter made one save to record the shutout. Junior goalie Aerik Tanis had 14 saves for Highland.
“I have to give their goalkeeper a lot of credit,” Prasopoulos said. “He kept them in the game with a lot of saves. He’s a really nice keeper.”
Mark Tanis also praised Aerik Tanis, his son.
“He made so many ridiculous, fantastic saves throughout the game,” Mark Tanis said. “He was busting his butt back there.
“They just had a few more horses coming forward, and our guys couldn’t string together enough passes in the middle to really be effective. But they have it in them. It’s there.”