By Stephen Zitolo
The Aviation boys’ soccer team’s unbelievable playoff ended with a fairy tale ending fitting for the story it’s written the last five years.
No. 12-seeded Aviation took out top-seeded and nationally ranked Martin Luther King Jr., in the semifinals and rallied from a goal down to beat unbeaten No. 2 seed Susan Wagner 2-1 in the final Sunday on Randall’s Island. The Flyers also beat No. 5 Bronx Science and No. 4 Beacon along the way.
“We won, we’re champions,” senior Kevin Zepeda said. “This means everything to me.
Aviation’s Edwin Urgilez scored the winner in the 57th minute to break a 1-1 tie. That was all Aviation needed as they played suffocating defense for the remainder of the game to hold on for the win. A wild celebration ensued as Aviation fans rushed the field and lifted junior Azzeddine Sekaat and coach Mario Cotumaccio up in the air. After five straight semifinals and two title game appearances, the Flyers are champions.
“I don’t know where to begin,” said Cotumaccio, who is in his 19th season. “I’m so overtaken by the emotion right now. This means the world to me. As a young man I played for Aviation and we were always in last place. This is something I’ve personally wanted for myself for a long time, but more so for the guys.”
The game didn’t start well for Aviation as Susan Wagner (17-1) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on goal by junior Bryan Bustos Martinez midway through the first half.
It took time for Aviation (13-2) to settle in and get on the board. Senior Kevin Zepeda, playing with an injured ankle, rushed into the box with a defender on his back and the Wagner goalie charging at him. He still managed to head the ball into the back of the net off a perfectly pass from Juan Sanchez. Zepeda, who scored the lone goal against MLK, tied the score.
“I still have it (the injured ankle),” he said. “But the goal boosted our confidence and made us think, ‘We are still in it.’”
The second half, like the whole game, was very physical. In the 59th minute, Aviation would get the break they needed. The Wagner keeper tried to clear the ball and sent it in the direction of Urgilez, who gained control and score the winner.
“We were down 1-0 and they came back,” Cotumaccio said. “I don’t know where they find the drive or the energy. This was an emotional day.”
