The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
VVS boys, Oneida girls earn victories over rivals
Vernon-Verona-Sherrill and Oneida squared off in boys and girls soccer, splitting the two matches.
VERONA >> The Vernon-VeronaSherrill boys soccer team found itself in an early hole Thursday, surrendering a goal in the 2nd minute against rival Oneida.
Calin Maguire played a huge role in helping the Red Devils rally.
The senior assisted on the tying goal in the 11th minute and scored the eventual match winner in the 62nd for a 2-1 VVS victory.
“It’s always a good day to face your rival Oneida and come away with a win,” said Red Devils coach Frank Mitchell. “I’m very happy. The kids worked hard.”
The win was a big one for a rebuilding squad. One of VVS’ biggest challenges this fall has
been scoring but the Red Devils came through with two goals to improve to 3- 4- 3 overall. “This is huge,” said Mitchell. “Tying a couple games to teams we thought we should have beaten is a little demoralizing but beating your nemesis makes it all better.”
Oneida wasted no time taking the lead, pulling ahead 1-0 on a goal by Jordan O’Connell just 71 seconds into the match.
The visitors continued to push the attack until the 9th minute, when the hosts began to threaten for an equalizer.
A corner kick went through the box untouched before James Renwick grounded a shot that Oneida keeper Jarod Ripper made a diving save on.
The Red Devils broke through to knot the score in the 11th minute when Maguire made a great cross to David Lewin at the far post.
Lewin tapped the ball into the net to even the score at 1-1.
“It’s always difficult digging from holes but once the team comes together then, I guess, you can do anything,” said Maguire.
Oneida had a pair of soft shots easily collected by VVS keeper Andrew Gowans in the 21st and 24th minute before the Red Devils had corners in the 28th and 32nd minute come up empty.
Each team added one more shot on goal before halftime but Ripper and Gowans were up to the task, keeping the score 1-1 going into the break.
Both teams failed to capitalize on its first shot of the second half before Maguire broke through with the winner in the 62nd minute.
Corey Couture threaded a through ball to Maguire, who beat Ripper far post for a 2-1 edge.
“I received the ball from my team and then turned and shot and it went in,” said Maguire.
Oneida quickly earned a corner but couldn’t convert.
The visitors pushed for an equalizer in the closing minutes but their best chance fell short when Gowans stopped a shot and the attempt on the rebound sailed wide.
The Red Devils defense then withheld two free kicks from the left side to wrap up the victory.