McCongeli’s free kick score guarantees home playoff contest for New Kent

New Kent’s Dylan Rooks locks in on a clear path to dribble the ball down the field.

Robb Johnson photo

Pushing through a sluggish week, New Kent’s boys’ soccer team looked to earn a possibility to host a regional playoff match. And the foot of Matteo McCongeli struck at the right time in an extra session.

McCongeli’s goal from a free kick with 1:45 remaining in overtime broke a stalemate that saw New Kent defeat Bay Rivers District foe Grafton 1-0 in Friday night’s affair.

New Kent failed to find the back of the net in regulation, as Clipper goalie Parker Davis stopped seven attempts by the hosting Trojans. In retrospect, Grafton couldn’t muster any offense as New Kent thwarted any shot attempts with stifling defense.

Overtime came into play and most of it remained scoreless until McCongeli’s heroics. With a free kick about 40 yards away, the forward struck the ball that connected high in the corner of the net over the outstretched arms of Davis. The score ignited the Trojans with energy as the defense’s intensity turned into keep away on offense to seal the win for New Kent.

New Kent head coach Derek Yates spoke about digging into the energy after a taxing week of games.

“This was our third game in a row this week as we beat Warhill, Bruton, and tonight,” he said. “I told the boys at halftime that whoever wanted it the most, came out with the most heart would get the win and they played with a 110 percent effort tonight.

“Matteo [McCongeli] had a heck of a free kick,” Yates said on the winning score. “But it was an effort from the entire team where they dug deeper even though they were hurting, bruised, and beat up, they found a way to get the win tonight.”

New Kent concludes the regular season with a 9-5-1 record and are scheduled to host Hopewell on May 22 at 6 p.m.