St. Francis Prep took away first place in the Archdiocesan division from Fordham Prep in the regular season. SFP nabbed the city title from Fordham just five days ago.
The Rams were sick of the Terriers spoiling things for them.
“We lost twice against them,” junior Sebastian Palomino said. “No way we were going to lose a third time. Not here.”
Palomino’s corner kick found the back of the net off a St. Francis Prep defender in the 32nd minute and that goal held up in Fordham Prep’s 1-0 win in the CHSAA Class AA boys soccer state semifinals Friday at St. John’s University’s Belson Stadium.
The Rams will play for the state title 6 p.m. Saturday against St. John the Baptist, which beat St. Joseph Collegiate in the other semifinal, back at Belson. They have never taken home a state crown.
“That would be huge,” Fordham keeper Mark Rajovic said. “[Rams coach Pete McNamara] was just talking about how it would be the biggest plaque at Fordham Prep. We all think we have a good chance of winning.”
Fordham (13-3-5) was bent on revenge after the two losses. St. Francis Prep (17-1-1) beat the Bronx squad, 1-0, both times, the most recent occasion Sunday in the CHSAA Class AA intersectional final. The Rams played well in each game, especially in the first half Sunday.
They just needed a little luck, perhaps, and they found it just before halftime with an own goal that hit off George Thomatos’ head on the Palomino corner. The SFP defender, who was standing far post, was trying to clear it and the ball seemed to sail on him.
“The wind was a big factor in the goal,” Palomino said. “It helped my curve go more toward the goal.”
St. Francis had possession for the most of the second half, but with about 10 minutes to go Fordham played a more defensive game. Mark Kramarchuk was excellent as usual at sweeper and Rajovic continued his magical postseason, the best stop coming off his line in the 71st minute to break up a cross from Chris Joseph to Kenny Redzematovic.
The Terriers were looking forward to completing their goal of the triple title – Brooklyn/Queens, city and state and left Belson with their heads hung Friday night. But coach Franco Purificato said the season goal was still completed.
“The states is gravy,” he said. “I’ve always said that the state tournament is extra. We strive to get that city championship. That’s what goes up in the rafters at Prep. And it’s going up. I’m not upset. We had an amazing season.”
Fordham Prep has done some great things, too, and its season will continue Saturday against Long Island champion St. John the Baptist, which won in penalty kicks against St. Joe’s on Friday.
“I think it’s a big one for these kids,” McNamara said. “They know they’re good enough to play with anyone and I think they feel like they’re good enough to be No. 1 in the city as well. And I think they want to be No. 1 in the state. The city is the big place; the state is a lot bigger.”