Clayton takes JUSA Cup over Corinth Holders in dramatic fashion
It took over 87 minutes for Clayton’s leading goal scorer to get even a sniff at goal, but when he did, Juan Alvarado knew just what to do and gave the Comets a thrilling 4-3 victory over Corinth Holders in the championship game of the Johnston United Soccer Association Cup.
The Pirates’ Pedro Segundo stunned the Comets and forced the extra golden goal sessions with his late strike, a laser of a shot from 40 yards out with seven minutes left in regulation.
Neither team generated many opportunities in the overtime periods until Jorge Alonso managed to flick a cross over in front of the goal where a hungry Alvarado, who was named Offensive MVP of the tournament, pounced and converted the chance into the side netting.
“It was just an amazing game; it’s indescribable,” Alvarado said. “As soon as I had the shot, I took it and it just came out perfect. I can’t think of anything more perfect than that.”
The goal followed the form of the evening as every time Corinth Holders found the back of the net, Clayton (15-5) responded in kind.
The Comets’ first three goals all came off of set pieces with Daniel Alioto giving the Comets the early lead when he finished off his near post run on a Tyler Duncan corner kick.
Brandon Sainz figured in Clayton’s next two goals with the first being a perfectly placed free kick of his into the box where Keegan Mangiarcano headed the ball home and the second being his own blast after his corner kick was deflected back to him, allowing him to give Clayton the 3-2 second half lead with a strike to the near post.
“This playoff atmosphere helps you,” Clayton coach John Asmussen said. “We haven’t been in the greatest form of late … so to come out tonight and win ugly; the result is all that matters. We did enough to get a win.
Corinth Holders (14-4-1), who controls its own destiny with a chance to win the Two Rivers 3A Conference title with two wins in its final two games, received first half goals from Derek Kaple and Adam Landeros to keep pace with the Comets.
They said it
“It was a playoff atmosphere, end-to-end action and the boys laid it all out on the line,” said Corinth Holders coach Brent Walston. “The good thing is we get to respond to a playoff like loss with potentially the playoffs still in front of us.”
Three who mattered
Juan Alvarado, Clayton: The game-winning goal was the senior striker’s 16th of the season and fourth of the JUSA Cup tournament this season.
J.T. Palazzalo, Corinth Holders: Named the Defensive MVP of the tournament and for good reason. The sophomore came up with half a dozen key saves to deny the high-flying Pirates even more goals. Two saves of the diving variety in the first half kept the game tied 2-2 at the break.
Derek Kaple, Corinth Holders: The senior midfielder was all over the place and helped move the ball from side-to-side with a fluid motion to create numerous dangerous opportunities for the Pirates throughout the course of the game. Kaple put his team on the board when he volleyed a rebound off of a Segundo free kick near the top of the penalty box.
By the numbers
7: Number of times a Clayton squad has now hoisted the JUSA Cup trophy in 16 years of competition.
4: Set pieces that led to goals.
8: Consecutive games Corinth Holders entered the game having won.
This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 10:53 PM with the headline "Clayton takes JUSA Cup over Corinth Holders in dramatic fashion."