Calhoun tops Kennedy on late goal

Though he’s serving as one of Calhoun’s defensive leaders this year, senior Dylan Delloiacono is no stranger to the offensive end of the soccer field.

A former starting forward, Delloiacono moved to the front line in the waning stages of Monday’s Conference AA-III game at Kennedy and converted a pass from senior Dan Chesley with 6:17 remaining to give the Colts a 1-0 victory.

“We weren’t generating as many scoring chances as we did in the first half, so I told Dylan to push up,” Calhoun coach Jim Cantley said. “The play we scored on was something we’ve been practicing. Dan’s pass was on an angle where the keeper couldn’t get it, and Dylan was in a perfect spot to poke it in.”

Kennedy sophomore goalkeeper Jake Silverman had a strong performance otherwise with nine saves, including eight in the opening half when a steady breeze helped the Colts (4-1 in AA-III) apply constant pressure. Silverman made a leaping save off a header by senior Tom Murphy and a diving stop off junior Aleco Podias, Calhoun’s leading scorer with three goals and three assists, to keep the game scoreless at halftime.

“We had a ton of chances early, but they held us off,” Cantley said. “That’s the way soccer is sometimes. I’m happy we found a way to score and not leaving with a tie.”

The Cougars (0-2-3 in AA-III), who suffered their fourth shutout in five conference games, had a golden opportunity with 16 minutes remaining but senior Steven Bien-Aime was denied at the doorstep by Calhoun senior goalkeeper Matthew Donnelly, and a rebound attempt sailed inches wide.

“We’re playing well between the 18s, but we’re having a tough time finishing,” Kennedy coach Jason Elias said. “We’ve only allowed five goals in league.

“When we get three great chances like we did today, we have to score at least one,” he added. “We’ve got a young team, and we’ll keep plugging away.”

The Cougars, who got a goal from junior Hunter Brodman to salvage a 1-1 tie at Carey in their previous game, had a shot sail over Donnelly and the crossbar in the closing seconds.