Espinoza’s goal caps Saints’ remarkable, double-OT comeback against Aycock

DUDLEY — Cesar Espinoza dreamed of this moment.It became reality Wednesday evening.

The senior delivered the game-winning goal in the 94th minute and capped Southern Wayne’s miraculous, 4-3, double-overtime comeback against county rival Charles B. Aycock.

“I was just trying to find it … senior night, wanted to win, so I went for it and I’m glad it just worked out,” Espinoza said.

The Saints snapped a seven-game skid in the rivalry and denied the Golden Falcons’ attempt to file a perfect worksheet on the Quad County 3A boys’ soccer scene.

Countless moments are worthy of recognition during what became an instant classic on the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex pitch.

None moreso than the final 4 1/2 minutes of regulation.

Down 3-1, the Saints accomplished the impossible.

Junior Miguel Campuzano closed the gap to 3-2 on an unassisted goal that just cleared the near post.

As the clock ticked under 30 seconds, Osbaldo Avila collected a loose ball inside the 6-yard box. He flipped it to an unmarked Espinoza, who headed it into goal past CBA keeper Gabriel Pena.

“We wanted it,” Espinoza said.

Southern Wayne (14-5-1 overall, 9-4-1 QCC) controlled possession in the first overtime. Pena remained on guard and followed the ball as Aycock’s defense worked to keep the 18-yard box clear.

However, one loose ball made the difference.

A misclear caused some congestion inside the 6-yard box and Espinoza was in the right place at the right time. Sitting on the back post, he stuck out his right leg. The ball caromed off of his knee and into the net.

“I’m not going to lie to you, I missed the goal,” SW head coach Luis Ramirez said. “I saw the ball in the back of the net and I didn’t care how it happened. I automatically looked at the referee to see if he was going to call anything.”

A power outage interrupted play with 65 seconds left in the first OT.

Once the game resumed, the teams played a back-and-forth affair that kept fans on both sides engaged in the nail-biting affair. Avila, who returned to mind the net, recorded four saves in the second OT.

The senior notched nine saves during his 60-minute stint between the pipes. Teammate Skervenson Aphael provided four saves in the second half.

Avila accepted the goal-keeping role after starter Joey Segura suffered a season-ending, right-ankle injury at East Wake on Oct. 4.

“Osbaldo stepped up to the plate,” Ramirez said. “I talked to him after Monday’s game [against Fike] and said it was his call. He’s a senior and I’m not going to force him to play a position since this could possibly be his last game at home.

“Once it was overtime, it was my choice, not his choice.”

Aycock (19-3-1, 13-1-0) moved in front 1-0 on Adrian Salazar’s goal in the 16th minute. The Saints leveled the contest at 1-1 on Daniel Velasquez’s penalty-kick conversion just before halftime.

The Golden Falcons changed tactics at the break.

They extended their pressure, which forced the Saints to rush possession as they built their attack from the back. Aycock quickly intercepted passes punched in two goals — one each by Salazar and Drew Huff — within a six-minute stretch.

“We were letting them play long balls [and] we weren’t passing like we’re used to doing,” said Espinoza, who was one of six seniors recognized at halftime. “We didn’t play our game. After the second goal [by Campuzano], it was like cold water hit us and we woke up.”

Ramirez hopes the victory improves the Saints’ postseason seeding. The Saints entered the regular-season finale No. 19 in the latest MaxPreps RPI rankings with the Golden Falcons sixth.

The NC High School Athletic Association will release the opening-round pairings Saturday.

“We knew how much this game mattered to us, so we had motivation,” Ramirez said. “Luckily, we were able to come out with a win tonight.”

Thanks to Espinoza.