Kendall wins on Brightley tally

Kendall wins on Brightley tally

Kendall sophomore Paul Brightley converted the go-ahead goal with just nine minutes remaining to lead Kendall to a 2-1 win over visiting Byron-Bergen in boys soccer. It marked the first victory for the Eagles over the Bees in three seasons.

Byron-Bergen took a first half 1-0 leading the 26th minute. Senior Matthew Flannery tossed a long sideline throw-in to Alex Charcolla who fed Cassidy Longhini. He put the ball in the lower right corner to give the Bees the lead at half time.

Just 14 minutes into the second half, Kendall tied the game following a handball which gave them a direct kick from just above the box. After two Eagles faked their shots, senior captain Eric Walzer put his shot into the upper right corner to make it 1-1.

Byron-Bergen then turned on the offensive pressure over a seven minute span. Charcolla's shot off a free kick was tipped over the crossbar and Justin Barrett had two chances from in close, but couldn't convert.

In the 81st minute, Keegan Luther fed Brightley a through ball up the middle for the game-winning goal.

"We just told them at half time to do a better job anticipating and to make more diagonal runs," said Kendall head coach Nick Picardo. "We played well in the first half, but we weren't moving. We were coaching them to take the ball outside, but wherever it comes from."

The Eagles evened their record at 2-2 and are now 1-0 in league play.