Breezy victory
SHALER TWP — If the wind provides an advantage, then things did not look good for the Butler boys soccer team.
Heading into overtime at Thursday's WPIALClass AAA consolation final against Fox Chapel, the Golden Tornado had to try to score into the cold breeze.
But didn't seem to matter when Ben Horner scored with 4 minutes, 13 seconds remaining in overtime to give Butler a 3-2 victory and the third and final PIAA qualifying berth.
Butler (20-2-1) erased a pair of one-goal deficits during the game, both coming in the second half and with the wind at its back.
"I don't know if the wind played a big factor," said Butler coach Troy Mohney. "In the first half, they had the wind with them. We had to be patient. I don't know how successful we were, but I told the kids we have the wind with us in the second half.
"I told them to knock it around and play like they knew how,"Mohney added.
The Foxes (15-6) jumped to a 1-0 lead with 13:38 left in the first half when freshman Thad Madzelonka scored from 20 yards away over the head of Butler goalie Tim Duffy, who made eight saves in the half to keep the Tornado close.
Six minutes into the second half, Horner's hard shot was blocked by Fox Chapel goalie Harley Miller, then deflected off the goalpost.
Despite several touches, the Foxes couldn't clear the ball more than 20 yards from the net, so Butler's Ryan Armahizer smacked a hard roller past Miller for the equalizer with 33:32 left in regulation.
The Foxes regained the lead eight minutes later when Andy Feiler scored on a penalty kick, made possible when he was pushed in the back near the front of the net.
With 23:04 left, the Foxes almost built a two-goal lead when Kevin McKamish stole the ball and was on a breakaway. Duffy, however, blocked the shot, then the ball hit the crossbar and flew over it.
That proved to be huge for the Tornado because, 40 seconds later, Doug Moran went nearly untouched for 75 yards, zigzagging his way past Fox Chapel defenders to knot the score at 2.
"Dougie did what Dougie's always done," said Mohney. "He refuses to lose. Their guys pushed up from the corner kick and he got to use his speed and skill."
Butler had three good scoring chances — one was waved off due to an offside call — left in regulation, but it was apparent Butler began to seize control of the game.
"In the second half, we played better," said Horner. "We carried that momentum and turned it into a goal."
"Even at the start of overtime, we lost the coin toss and had to go into the wind," said Mohney. "It didn't matter with the guys. I told them to keep the ball on the ground. The wind won't be as effective,
Horner certainly was effective with the goal that put the Golden Tornado into the state playoffs.
"The ball was getting cleared out and one of my teammates made a run at it and I was able to find it,"Horner added.
The game marked Butler's third consecutive overtime game, including the 4-3 loss to Peters Township in the WPIAL semifinals Monday.
"That was a tough loss, but we're used to playing with each other. We have faith in each other," said Horner.
