In a thrilling Center States Conference Division I matchup on Thursday, the Little Falls boys soccer team remained undefeated by defeating Utica Academy of Science (UAS) 2-1 in overtime.
Despite UAS having a significant advantage in possession, the Mounties capitalized on key moments. Junior Giovonni Almaviva scored the golden goal in overtime, securing the victory for Little Falls.
“It was a fun but tough game. UAS is a solid team,” said Little Falls coach Darin Lynch. “Nobody quit, and they believed they could come back and win.”
UAS took a 1-0 lead into halftime and maintained that advantage until the final minutes of regulation. “They controlled most of the game with passing,” Lynch noted.
With five minutes left, Little Falls sophomore Adam Vadney made a strong run into the box, where he was fouled. He converted the resulting penalty kick, tying the game at 1-1.
Lynch praised Vadney, who played through illness. “He’s a year-round soccer player with grit,” he said. “Adam’s been solid. He loves soccer.”
As the match entered overtime, Almaviva seized the opportunity. A few minutes in, he chased down the ball and fired a shot from the right wing into the corner of the net, clinching the victory.
Lynch noted that Almaviva struggled with one-on-one matchups against the UAS goalie earlier in the game, prompting the coach to offer tactical advice. “It was a proud moment for me and a great moment for Almaviva,” he said.
Almaviva, who played for the Mounties last season but briefly tried football, has found his footing in soccer this year. “We’ve been rebuilding him all year,” Lynch added. “He’s slowly coming into his own.”
With the win, Little Falls improved to 7-0, already surpassing last season’s total wins. Lynch mentioned that injuries hindered the team’s performance last year, resulting in a 5-12 record. “We’re staying healthy and developing,” he said. “We’ve added depth, and the team is improving.”
Thursday’s victory marked the third time this season that the Mounties won by a 2-1 score. Lynch expressed confidence in his team’s resilience, saying, “It’s going to be a battle, but we have that experience. They’re great kids that work hard.”
Little Falls will host Clinton at 6 p.m. on Monday, while UAS (2-3) will face Waterville on Friday at 6 p.m.
