Magpali Gives Crespi Kick at Finish, 3-2

It couldn’t have been a better Senior Night for Aaron Magpali of Crespi High.

Magpali, a senior, scored in the second overtime to give the Celts a 3-2 victory over Notre Dame on Friday night in front a full house in a Mission League boys’ soccer game at Crespi.

The Celts (16-4, 7-2 in league play) knocked the Knights (12-7-1, 6-2-1) out of first place and moved into tie for the lead with Loyola.

The Celts are in first place for the first time since 1986, when they last won a league title.

“Every senior was outstanding [Friday night],” said Crespi Coach Rob Kodama. “I couldn’t tell you how proud I am of these boys.

“[The victory] was definitely big, but it’s far from over.”

Four teams are within one game in the Mission standings. St. Francis (15-5, 6-3) is one game back with three remaining.

Magpali’s goal came in the 100th minute when goalkeeper Chris Alexander of Notre Dame mishandled a routine ball near the top of the 18-yard box.

Magpali capitalized on the mistake by controlling the loose ball and chipping a shot over a group of defenders and into the net.

Notre Dame took a 2-1 lead in the first overtime when Shaun Anthony headed in a cross from Kevin Murray in the 82nd minute.

“It’s never over until the final whistle,” Notre Dame Coach Colm McFeely said. “They are too much of a battling team to give up. At that point, I felt we could hold the lead. We played magnificent in the game.

“In my mind, we deserved to win the game.”

Crespi tied the score oin the 97th minute when Taylor Canel’s throw-in was headed in by Shane Fierst.

“I saw the ball over everyone and I knew it was coming,” said Fierst, who usually takes the Celts’ throw-ins but was unable to do so after he injured a thumb trying to defend midfielder Jimmy Sharp.

“I had to get my head on the ball no matter what. We work hard at staying back post. [At first], I didn’t think it was going to go in, but I saw the goalie dive and once I saw that I knew it was going in.”

After absorbing numerous Notre Dame attacks in the first half, Crespi took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute when Fierst got his foot on a free kick by David Vega and powered a shot past Alexander.

D.J. Rodgers tied the score for the Knights in the 54th minute.