The Oceanside and John Bapst boys soccer teams proved why they were the top two in Class B North this season, combining for an overtime thriller in Thursday’s regional final that Oceanside won 2-1 in dramatic fashion.
The Mariners from Rockland knocked off the top-seeded John Bapst Crusaders from Bangor thanks to two goals from senior forward Aiden Willis.
Willis ran onto a well-placed through-ball and powered a shot into the net to end the sudden death overtime and send his Mariners team to Saturday’s state championship.
The Oceanside senior said it felt “unbelievable” after the win.
“Most of the time that I get into that situation inside the 18 [yard box] knowing I’m going to take a shot, I think everything goes blank,” Willis said. “I just thought, put anything you can on this, keep it on frame, and hope that the results pay off.”
The two teams traded chances throughout the night but were largely stifled by fantastic goalkeeping from both John Bapst goalie Bode Phillips and Oceanside netminder Cayden Gray.
The game was tied 0-0 at halftime.
Senior forward Aiden Willis put Oceanside up 1-0 early in the second half, and for about 20 minutes it looked like John Bapst might be unable to turn chance after chance into that desperately needed goal.
That’s when Rafa Rentosa stepped up and delivered for the Crusaders, knotting the game up at 1-1.
More solid goalkeeping from both Phillips and Gray kept the score there for the remainder of regulation, forcing overtime.
Oceanside seemed the more dangerous team for most of the first overtime. Willis seemingly ended things in favor of the Mariners with just over 5 minutes left in the first extra period, but that would-be game winning goal was called back for offsides.
Oceanside promptly earned a free kick after that chance, and Phillips was there again to scoop up a bouncing shot on net.
But there was little Phillips could do when Willis barrelled down on him 1-on-1 and put home the game winner.
Neither goalie deserved to lose Thursday night after their strong performances, but only one could win. And despite scoring his team’s two goals, Willis credited Oceanside keeper Gray for keeping the Mariners in the game.
“This guy was full-stretch, laid out in Superman position making these saves,” Willis said about Gray. “I came up to him just before overtime and said, ‘You know what, you’re the reason that we’re in this overtime right now.’”
Gray was thrilled after the win, and reflected on all the effort it took for the Mariners to get there.
“Thinking about all the work we’ve done — the workouts, the training, the drills, all to make it to this gold ball game, it’s really incredible.”
Willis said his team had fallen to John Bapst year after year during his high school career.
The Crusaders won the previous meeting between the two teams earlier this season.
“Every single time we get absolutely whooped,” Willis said. “And so it feels good to come out here and stick it to the man, you know what I mean. And get that opportunity in the state final, finally.”
