By Anthony Bosco
“I can't describe it,” O'Riordan said. “Unbelievable.”
The Crusaders defeated Salesian High School Friday afternoon in New Rochelle, 2-0, behind goals by seniors Jordan Fraser and Marco Itturizagga, perhaps the two least likely players on the team to score, combining for just one goal this season heading into the title match.
The irony was not lost on O'Riordan, who coaches perhaps the best player in the entire CHSAA, junior Chris Megaloudis. Megaloudis was instrumental to the team's success all year, carrying it to league wins over 'A' school opponents St. Francis Prep and Xaverian and competitive showings against Archbishop Molloy and city champs Holy Cross.
McClancy had come close to realizing this dream a year ago, when the team fell to Staten Island's St. Joseph's by the Sea in the finals. The Crusaders beat St. Joe's in the semifinals this year, setting up Friday's match against Salesian.
And it was clear from the start that McClancy had no intention of letting another shot at the crown slip away.
The Crusaders dominated play throughout the first half, keeping the play in the Eagles' end of the field. Twice McClancy hit the left post, the second with about five minutes remaining in the half when Megaloudis worked his way free in the box and fired a rocket that ricocheted clear.
McClancy goal keeper Giampaolo Dimicco had little work in the opening half, but made two sensational saves seconds apart, when he came off his line to challenge a Salesian attacker and dove to stop a point-blank shot. The rebound was fired quickly, with Dimicco corralling the ball.
“We just can't finish,” said a frustrated O'Riordan at halftime.
McClancy would convert, however, as Fraser received a pass from junior Adrian Caballero, slipped through two defenders and beat the Salesian low from 10 yards out to put his team on top with 22 minutes to go in regulation.
The action picked up after the goal, with Salesian pressing for the tie. Dimicco, however, was never really tested.
With time winding down and the Eagles trying in vain for the equalizer, Megaloudis worked the ball to Itturizagga, who beat the defense and blasted the ball past the keeper for the second goal with just one minute remaining in regulation.
Moments later the McClancy team and faithful rushed the field and celebrated the team's city title win.
“It's just makes up for last year,” O'Riordan said. “We played as a single unit.”
