The best results can sometimes come from the most unlikely of circumstance.
As Firelands’ and Amherst’s showdown appeared to be on its way to a tie, Comets midfielder Vanathony Trunzo showcased creative brilliance with a late left-footed free-kick to win, 1-0, on Aug. 16.
In a defensive slugfest between two talented units, a yellow card foul set up a free-kick opportunity with 11 minutes remaining in the game. Trunzo, who never practiced free-kicks with his left, elected to take a 20-yard free kick with it.
“I grabbed the ball and I saw that the wall was toward my right foot. I am right-footed and I am not left-footed. I shot with my left foot just to curve around the wall and it ended up going in the goal,” he said.
Not only did the goal go over the wall, but also the goalie, the underside of the crossbar and across the line for the late lead.
“Sometimes when you have senior leaders you let them sort that out and make that decision. He wanted to make a play and he made the play,” Amherst Coach Brett Thompson said.
According to Thompson, the team couldn’t believe what he was about to do. Once he hit it, everyone, including Assistant Coach Tony Trunzo, the dad of Vananthony, couldn’t believe what they saw.
“I am talking to (Tony Trunzo) and I’m like, ‘Why is he kicking it left-footed’ and he said that he didn’t know. We considered having someone else take it and then (Trunzo) pings it,” Thompson said. “I feel that shows that someone wants to make a play. He read (the situation) well and that probably should have been a left-footed free-kick. He wanted to step up and take it and I think that is awesome.”
Each team had their chances for goals, but the defensive performances stood out on both sides. Thompson believed that they share similar traits.
“(Firelands) is really like us,” he said. “They have some skilled players, hard workers, athleticism, size and they have a great goal keeper. I think both teams were the same. It was who was going to make one play and (Trunzo) stepped up and made it.”
Thompson was impressed with his defense that suffered adversity, but showed mental toughness. Multiple Firelands players suffered cramps in the home stretch, but the Comets’ legs were good enough to keep going.
Comets’ center back Ryan Naelitz was subbed out early for a minor injury near the end of the first half, but the defense remained intact.
“They held the fort down for 20 minutes when Ryan (Naelitz) was out,” Thompson said. “Ryan Naelitz is one of the better center backs in the area. When you lose your top center back for 20 minutes in a game … that is tough and the other guys stepped up.”
Amherst has started its season 2-0, along with the 5-2 season opener against Elyria Catholic.
The Comets’ last winning season was three years ago. Amherst anticipates taking the momentum to its next game at Lutheran West on Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.
“A lot of (games like tonight), went the other way,” Thompson said. “We would be battling and the other team would make one play and we would be down, 1-0. I feel that our team is a little bit mentally tougher. It’s not that the other teams are bad. I think this is a mentally tough team.”
Firelands Coach Bill Yakunovich thought the defense played great, and it was a minor mishap in the end that cost them.
“We fought so hard this whole game. We were keeping up with them and they were putting pressure on them. Then, there was a silly foul at the top of the box (put us in a bad spot),” he said.
Firelands (0-1) will next play Vermilion for the soccer Stillman Cup.
