Tiago Troyano’s penalty kick goal with 2 minutes remaining provided the Allen Community College soccer team with the decisive goal in a wild 5-4 win over Northern Oklahoma College-Tonkawa.
“Obviously, giving up four goals is never a good thing, but these guys have grit and tenacity,” Red Devil head coach Doug Desmarteau said.
Tuesday’s victory was courtesy of a pair of Red Devil comebacks.
NOC-Tonkawa led 2-0 at intermission, with both goals coming off of penalty kicks, before the Red Devils hit back early and often in the second half, scoring three goals in a 12-minute span.
Gabriel Olimba got it started by blasting in a feed from teammate Cillian Giligan to slice the lead in half.
Giligan then was assisted by Ben Mnqathu on the equalizer minutes later before Mnqathu pushed Allen on top for the first time off an assist from Jordan Mase.
NOC-Tonkawa bounced back with a pair of goals to retake a 4-3 lead.
But again Allen had an answer.
Mizuki Saiki evened the proceedings at 4-4 with an assist from Thiago Fernandez, setting up Troyano’s late heroics.
It marked the second straight game-winner for Troyano, who also registered the decisive goal in a win Sunday over Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
“It was a physical game,” Desmarteau said, noting the contest bodes well for Allen, considering five individuals scored five goals for the Red Devils.
“I was really happy with the way we fought,” Desmarteau said. “Last year, we weren’t down very often. To be able to bounce back like this is big.”
The Red Devils don’t have long to gloat.
Allen is back in action today in Overland Park with a match at Johnson County Community College.
“Somebody didn’t do a very good job of scheduling,” Desmarteau joked, noting he was the one who set the team’s schedule. “I wanted to get an extra game in, and it’s a date both of us were available.”
