Nativity knows that nothing comes easy in Schuylkill League boys’ soccer, even if the Division II title is already locked up.
Tuesday night was no different, as the Hilltoppers held off a furious Williams Valley rally to secure a 3-2 victory over the Vikings atop Lawton’s Hill.
Peppe Mini led the comeback charge for Williams Valley with two goals, including a penalty kick in the 61st minute that brought the Vikings within striking distance. But Nativity’s first-half goals by Alfredo Diaz, Cristian Vazquez and Ricardo Chagolla proved enough to get the Hilltoppers across the finish line.
“We haven’t had an easy game the whole season, with one or two exceptions,” Nativity coach Paul Datte said. “Williams Valley is a talented team. There are a lot of good teams in Division II and we always have to be at our best.”
It looked like Nativity (13-3, 9-0 D-II) was at its best early Tuesday, as Diaz put the Hilltoppers a goal ahead only three minutes into the contest. Vazquez set the play up by leaving a ball at the top of the 18-yard box for Javier Encalada, who turned to find Diaz for an open shot from the right side of the penalty area.
Williams Valley (7-8, 5-4) countered by accumulating three free kicks in the first 20 minutes, finally cashing in on the third from 25 yards out in the 19th minute.
Mini delivered a perfect strike on the shot from the center of the pitch, sending it over Nativity’s wall and into the top-left corner beyond the reach of Hilltoppers keeper Junior Menjivar.
But the Vikings’ jubilation was short-lived. Vazquez tapped home an Encalada delivery in the box 49 seconds later to give Nativity the lead for good.
Chagolla struck two minutes later for a 3-1 cushion. Jamie Mendez worked hard to get possession of the ball in the right corner and crossed it in to Chagolla at the 6-yard box for an easy chip in for his 20th goal of the season.
But the Hilltoppers had seen this story before. The last time the two teams met, Williams Valley outplayed Nativity throughout the final 40 minutes, slicing a 4-0 deficit in half before succumbing to a 5-2 defeat.
“It was a lot like the first game,” Datte said. “We were up at halftime, had a healthy lead and they just poured it on the second half — in this case, especially in the last 10 or 15 minutes.
“But I’m proud of them. They got out in front and hung on.”
Not helping the Hilltoppers’ cause was shifting around personnel due to two yellow cards and an injury. Encalada was helped off the field late in the first half after a collision with Williams Valley’s Tre Engle.
Encalada did not return, adding to a growing list of inactives for Nativity that currently includes fullback Jorge Nechar, center midfielder Ayden Adams and goalkeeper Eric Nelson — though there is hope that some can return before the league playoffs begin next week.
Mini’s goal from the spot in the 61st minute Tuesday started a cascade of chances for the Vikings. The best looks came from corners, as late headers by James Zerby and Daniel McGarvey were kept out and a last-second corner was cleared away as time expired.
The defeat was Williams Valley’s fifth by one goal this season. In nearly all of those losses, the Vikings gained their ground in the second half.
“What we stressed at halftime was attacking the ball, being aggressive, stepping into their passing lanes. I thought we did that for the most part,” Williams Valley coach Seth Shuey said.
“We didn’t take advantage of all the opportunities. If we would have, it might’ve been different. ... That’s the story of our season in a nutshell.”
Mini was the focal point of Nativity’s defense, but still managed to create chances throughout the game. He drew the penalty on the Hilltoppers simply by making a diagonal run away from the ball and getting dragged down in the penalty area.
His two goals Tuesday bring his season total to 26.
“We identified him before the game and he still got loose,” Datte said. “Pretty clearly their offense goes through him. We tried to drive that home before the game. At halftime, we tried to do some things and he still got possession, he still got his shots. He’s an excellent player.”
While both teams have already locked up District 11 Class A playoff berths, the Schuylkill League playoff picture became more clear Tuesday. Williams Valley’s loss gives Schuylkill Haven the final spot in the four-team field as the Division II wild card.
Which teams the Hilltoppers and Hurricanes will face has yet to be decided. Lehighton has a one-point lead on Blue Mountain in Division I heading into Thursday’s league finale.
Game Summary
Wms. Valley (7-8, 5-4) 1 1 — 2
Nativity (13-3, 9-0) 3 0 — 3
Nat — Diaz (Encalada), 2:55
WV — Mini (unassisted), 18:55
Nat — Vazquez (Encalada), 19:44
Nat — Chagolla (Mendez), 21:41
WV — Mini (PK), 60:40
Shots on goal: Williams Valley 4, Nativity 8. Corner kicks: Williams Valley 8, Nativity 2. Saves: Williams Valley (Reinoehl) 4, Nativity (Menjivar) 2.
JV: Nativity 6-0