High school soccer playoffs: London edges IDEA North Mission in shootout
The London boys did not get their usually high-scoring production on Thursday at Cabaniss Stadium, but an equally adept defense and goalkeeper Giovanni Scanio helped pushed the Pirates to a win anyway.
Scanio stood tall in a shootout propelling London to a 1-0 shootout win against IDEA North Mission, stopping three of four Warriors attempts in PKs to send the Pirates to the Class 4A area round.
"As a smaller goalie, PKs are something I try to specialize in," Scanio said. "I was watching the (shooters') hips. ... I knew I had to give these boys everything I've got and prove myself. I'm glad I could do everything for them."
The London junior keeper's heroics came after a trying scoreless draw in regulation and 20 minutes of overtime, as the Warriors were content keeping players back to muddy up the middle in hopes of slowing the London attack.
It almost backfired as a strong London cross was redirected just wide of frame in the 89th minute. The header was the best London chance in regulation, and although the Pirates peppered the IDEA North Mission goal in the opening minutes of overtime with the wind at their back, nothing found the back of the net.
In the PK shootout, London's Egeman Van Niekerk was stoned on the first try and Diego Garcia converted for the Warriors to keep the upset bid alive, but Scanio stopped the second IDEA North Mission try and the third and fourth shots went wide of frame while the Pirates converted theirs to move on.
"We just had to keep our composure," London head coach Joe Riojas said. "Our kids were pressing in the first half. We told them at half that we had been through a lot of battles, especially in district. We kept our composure and made sure we didn't give up anything. When it was our time to take it, we did. Our boys did a good job of that."
London faces the winner of Brownsville IDEA Riverview or Edinburg IDEA Quest in the area round next week.
Thursday's highlights
The London junior goalkeeper who moved to Corpus Christi from Tampa, made a key stop after a giveaway in the 70th minute that ended up on the foot of a Warriors striker with an open look. Scanio sprawled out to deflect the curving shot that bent more because of the wind to keep the game scoreless.
The Warriors did a good job of keeping the Pirates from using their athleticism to push the pace at the more compact field at Cabaniss East, aided by windy conditions.
Thursday's stars
Scanio stopped the second IDEA North Mission shot in the shootout and then snared the third attempt, but Daniel Chapa was deemed to have sent the kick in before the referee deemed it ready.
Given a second try, Chapa's shot skied above the crossbar and then, Scanio dove and forced IDEA North Mission's No. 4 shooter Angel Urbina to send his try into the post to clinch the win.
Riccardo Frati, Peyton Lawhon and Brandon Fonseca were true from the spot for the Pirates to push London through to the area round.
What the coaches said
London coach Joe Riojas on what IDEA North Mission did well to limit the Pirates potent offense: "They were really good on their touches and covered a lot of our passing lanes. We try to spread the field and use our pace, and they kind of made us adjust. It was hard for us to get into our tempo. We like to push the ball and play fast. They clouded the middle and tried to limit us. The wind played a big factor also."
London's Riojas on the play of goalkeeper Giovanni Scanio: "He is a small guy, but he is a fiery guy. He plays so much bigger than what he is. This week, we talked about that, and did some things to prepare him (for a shootout) just in case, thinking maybe we would need it later on. I'm glad we prepared him, because we needed it tonight."
What the players said
London goalkeeper Giovanni Scanio on what it took to persevere: "I think we were a little overconfident. We had seen this team before and we've had a really good season. This is a good group of boys. We battled all the way and took it to the end."
London's Egeman Van Niekerk on the play of Scanio in net: "Giovanni saved us tonight. He was there and there. He just read the penalties so well. He is just an amazing keeper."
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: London boys clip IDEA North Mission in Class 4A soccer playoffs
