It was the first game of the season, and it nearly went the distance.

The Newburgh Free Academy boys’ soccer team was tied with the Valley Central Vikings in the second overtime when the Goldbacks finally found the back of the net.

Senior Yensel Granados ripped a shot from the left post and tucked it inside the far post in the 95th minute for the golden goal giving the Goldbacks a 2-1 win on Wednesday afternoon at Academy Field in Newburgh.

“That was huge,” Newburgh coach Matt Iorlano said. “To walk off here with a tie or a loss would have been heartbreaking, especially the way we controlled the game. I thought the wind had a lot to do with it. The momentum changed depending on which way you were going. But I’m a lot happier than I would have been if we lost today.”

The Goldbacks controlled the tempo early but were unable to make the most of their chances as at least four shots bounced either off a goal post or a crossbar, with several direct kicks sailing over the net.

They finally got on the board in the 38th minute on a goal by Henry Moran to give the Goldbacks a 1-0 lead at halftime.

“We played a great first half,” Iorlano said. “We controlled the ball. We did everything we wanted to do. We moved without the ball.”

The wind was blowing toward the South Street side of Academy Field all game, and not surprisingly, all three of the game’s goals were scored on that side of the field.

The Vikings tied the score in the second half when a throw-in went to Xavier Fonseca, who kicked a shot that bounced over the head of Newburgh goalkeeper, hit the crossbar and went into the goal.

“I don’t know how it actually bounced over the top of my keeper,” Iorlano said. “I have no idea, but that was a momentum swing and then we had two posts, two crossbars. We missed a lot of point-blank shots. Their keeper made four or five outstanding saves.

The Vikings’ James Joyce finished with nine saves.
Last week didn’t get any easier for the Goldbacks last week, as they finished the week with a game Friday night against Bethlehem.

They’re the first two of a group of tough non-league schedule. They will play Beacon on Wednesday and then play Martin Luther King at Randall’s Island on September 23. They also will travel to Lakeland on October 9.

“There ain’t one cupcake in there,” Iorlano said. “When we get to sectionals, nobody can say we’re not battle tested at that point. We may lose all five games, but we’re going to know where we are and what’s in front of us.”