CARTHAGE — The members of this Immaculate Heart Central boys soccer team finally feel like they're back on track. And they've been doing a pretty good job lately of showing it.
Anthony Carvalho, a Brazilian exchange student from Rio de Janiero, needed just one shot Tuesday night to give IHC a 1-0 Frontier League "A" Division semifinal triumph over Carthage.
The sophomore forward's offering floated 30 yards before it dipped under the crossbar in the 52nd minute, giving Carvalho his first goal of the season, and lifting the Cavaliers into Thursday's final on the same field against Watertown.
"I can't believe it," Carvalho said. "I saw the goalie step out a little and I thought about shooting. I think I might be a little bit lucky."
The Cavaliers (7-7 overall) have won two in a row since getting key players back from injuries last week. Coach Andy Short knew his team, the one that started the year 4-1, was better. And IHC has proven its coach right after knocking off division champion Watertown in the regular season finale, and rebounding from a 1-6 midseason stretch.
"We knew we could play with these guys," Short said. "When it was 0-0 at halftime, our guys didn't want a break. They were ready to go.
"(Carthage) put a lot of pressure on us, but our guys stepped up to it, and played with confidence."
IHC goalie Brian Magovney dominated on the other end of the field with eight saves.
Carthage (9-7-1) challenged the all-star keeper on breakaways and point-blank shots throughout the game. When the Comets tried beating the defense with long crosses from the wings, Magovney snared those, too. He caught the ball just about every time he touched it, and solicited no rebounds.
The Comets won the shot battle 17-8, but coach Katherine Stackel was at a loss in trying to find an explanation to give her team.
"The difference in that game is one shot and Brian Magovney," she said. "We had tons of opportunities. We just didn't get one in. We shouldn't hang our heads at all."
Magovney was yellow-carded 10 minutes into the second half when he knocked down a Carthage attacker in front of his goal. A penalty kick wasn't awarded, but a corner kick before Magovney re-entered caused plenty of tension. The Comets, though, couldn't take advantage of Magovney's absence and backup goalie Tyler Grable came up with one important save.
"I was shocked I got carded," said Magovney, who tied IHC's school record (28) for career shutouts. "I didn't intend to nudge him like that. I thought he kind of ran into me so I was protecting myself."
Three minutes later, Carvalho finally lit up the scoreboard. Sophomore Carlos Smith dribbled up the sideline, before dropping a quick back-pass to Carvalho. The switch in direction forced Carthage's defense to adjust, allowing just enough time for a shot.
"This is the best time to get hot," Magovney said. "If we start winning now, it will carry over to sectionals and maybe we'll be a surprise to everybody."
