DiNatale on the winner #ctbsoc pic.twitter.com/duZkxvnlNM
— Ryan Lacey (@RyanLacey11) November 2, 2019
NEW MILFORD — The moment was in his hands and he wasn’t going to let it slip away.
For Immaculate senior Tristan DiNatale, his team’s first SWC playoff win over more than a decade was 12 yards away. And he capitalized.
Hoping to avoid penalty kicks all together, DiNatale converted one in regulation with 2:29 left, sending the Mustangs to a 2-1 win over New Milford in the SWC quarterfinals Saturday. Immaculate will visit Weston Tuesday night in what has been a remarkable run for the team already.
“I thought all of the pressure was on me,” DiNatale said. “But I needed this for my team and got it done. It’s amazing; I love it for my team. It’s great.”
Hand ball in question. That’s tough #ctbsoc pic.twitter.com/J6J8I4YsM8
— Ryan Lacey (@RyanLacey11) November 2, 2019
“He got All-SWC and he deserves it,” said Immaculate coach Steve Carneiro. “When there’s a big game, he shows up. I’m proud of him and the whole team; that PK doesn’t happen without his teammates.”
The Mustangs returned to the scene of a 2-0 loss earlier this season, but got off to the perfect start with a goal inside two minutes. Freshman Michael Iannetta got on the end of a ball off a free kick and looped a shot into the net.
Wow Mustangs score 1:37 in 1-0 #ctbsoc pic.twitter.com/vsWf3g7kf2
— Ryan Lacey (@RyanLacey11) November 2, 2019
The Green Wave were level in very short order, though, as an excellent shot from Christian Mendoza tied it at 1. The pace of the game led to quality chances for both.
Christian Mendoza with this nice hit and New Milford ties it up 1-1 less than eight minutes have passed #ctbsoc pic.twitter.com/95IMYHjsRg
— Ryan Lacey (@RyanLacey11) November 2, 2019
New Milford generated quality opportunities throughout but were left frustrated by the Mustangs’ defense. Immaculate started a pair of freshman in the center in Iannetta and Anthony Reyes, but the pressure of the moment didn’t get to either.
“We’ve been saying from the beginning small numbers but big fight,” Carneiro said. “We’ve always had to rely on every single to play a role in every match. That’s why I’m so proud of them.”
The Mustangs snuck into the tournament as the No. 8 seed a year ago, but the successful season and the No. 5 seed has raised expectation. A matchup with the defending champions looms, though the Mustangs handed Weston its lone league loss this year Oct. 22.
“The past few years we’ve just been excited to be here,” Carneiro said. “This was a little different. How we prepared mentally and physically. This was business; we’re trying to get to the SWC finals. The attitude is different.”
rlacey@bcnnew.com, twitter.com/ryanlacey11
