Vessecchia delivers storybook ending as Morgantown rallies past Martinsburg, 3-2
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MORGANTOWN – For nearly 70 minutes, the Morgantown High School boys soccer season appeared to be slipping away. Then, in a matter of 13 minutes, the Mohigans authored a comeback they won’t soon forget.
Second-seeded Morgantown erased a two-goal deficit in the final 13 minutes of play, defeating No. 3 Martinsburg, 3-2, in the Class AAAA North Region co-finals at Pony Lewis Field on Thursday night. Senior forward Anthony Vessecchia provided the storybook finish, converting a penalty kick with 1:52 remaining to send the Mohigans to the state semifinals in Beckley next week.
"Since our loss to Jefferson (October 3), these guys have worked harder than any team I've ever known," first-year head coach Brian Shirak said. "They've doubled up on effort, energy, and conditioning, and our mantra has been that no one is going to outplay us in the final 10-20 minutes of the game. That's exactly what happened tonight, and I'm so proud of them."
The two teams played an entertaining but scoreless first half, with both sides creating opportunities but struggling to find the finishing touch. Martinsburg threatened early with a header off a corner kick that sailed just wide, while Morgantown gradually gained momentum as the half progressed.
The Mohigans came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock before halftime. A shot from the top of the box rattled off the crossbar, and another opportunity off a corner kick forced an outstanding save from the Martinsburg goalkeeper Manuel Alvizu-Zavada.
Despite the late pressure, the teams entered the break scoreless.
Morgantown continued to apply pressure after halftime, but Martinsburg eventually broke through with a spectacular free kick by Donte Johnson to take a 1-0 lead.
The Mohigans answered with several dangerous opportunities of their own, including another effort that struck the post, but the Alvizu-Zavada continued to keep them off the scoreboard.
With 13:42 remaining, Martinsburg delivered what appeared to be the knockout blow. A long clearance sparked a counterattack, and Martinsburg forward Ben Williams worked around two Morgantown defenders before calmly slotting the ball into the far-right corner to make it 2-0.
Morgantown, however, wasn’t finished.
Just 1:27 later, the Mohigans found the back of the net through junior Sebastian Schneider to cut the deficit to 2-1, suddenly breathing life into their postseason hopes.
The momentum continued to swing when a Martinsburg handball inside the box was called, awarding Morgantown a penalty kick with 8:25 remaining. Vessecchia stepped forward with an opportunity to even the score, but his attempt was turned away.
It was a devastating moment for the senior, but the Mohigans refused to let the missed opportunity define their night.
With approximately four minutes remaining, Morgantown found its equalizer. A long throw-in created chaos inside the box, and Nuh Firegoun’s ensuing effort worked its way through traffic before finding the corner of the net to make it 2-2.
The Bulldogs nearly answered, but a crucial goal-line clearance by a Mohigan defender preserved the tie and kept the hosts alive.
Then came Vessecchia’s moment.
With 1:52 remaining, another foul inside the penalty area gave Morgantown a second opportunity from the spot. This time, Vessecchia made no mistake, burying the penalty kick to complete the improbable comeback and send Pony Lewis Field into celebration.
"The only thing going through my mind was to not repeat the result of the last one," Vessecchia said of his game-winner. "We were fortunate to get the first penalty, and when we got the second one I knew I had to put it away. Their goalie was amazing all game."
After missing the chance to tie the game moments earlier, the senior delivered when it mattered most, scoring the game-winner and giving Morgantown a 3-2 victory.
The five-goal second half featured everything a postseason rivalry matchup could offer, but the final 13 minutes belonged to the Mohigans.
For a Morgantown team that many didn’t expect to reach this point of the postseason, Thursday’s victory was more than just another regional win. It was a testament to its resilience, belief and refusal to let the season end.
The Mohigans now turn their attention to Beckley, where they will compete in the Class AAAA state semifinals next week with a chance to continue a postseason run that has already defied expectations.