CARROLLTON – They did it again.
Less than a week after James Mastrangelo’s match-winning goal in the dying seconds against Hebron, Allen advanced past Arlington Sam Houston, 2-1, thanks to Mason Leslie’s go-ahead goal with under a minute left to play.
Hunting for a winner late, Allen played a deep ball to Daniel Mogeni and the ball flicked on to an on-running Leslie. The junior forward drove towards goal and eventually cut inside before finishing with his right foot for the match-winner. In celebration, Leslie pulled off his shirt and the Allen bench emptied onto the track of Standridge Stadium to celebrate in front of the student section.
“I know I had it,” Leslie said. “I saw one defender on me, so I had to cut in and shoot it. It’s just excitement. It’s crazy.
“We did it last week. We scored with 13 seconds last week so anything’s possible. All we need is one good through-ball, and anything’s possible.”
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Mastrangelo opened the scoring in the first half with an impressive individual effort, taking on two defenders down the right wing before cutting inside, nutmegging a defender and scoring at the near post in the 24th-minute. Allen ended the first half out-shooting Sam Houston nine to five.
Sam Houston’s equalizer came during the 16th-minute from Antonio Zavala off the left flank to the near post.
After the equalizer, Sam Houston’s recorded two more shots on goal that were saved by Allen keeper Arturo Gomez, including a point-blank save off a header with under 10 minutes to play.
“(Gomez’s) been stellar all year,” Allen head coach David Blackburn said. “He’s only a junior, but he has tremendous maturity, instincts and quality. He’s been clutch for us, and I’m sure he’s going to continue to be.”
Sam Houston almost equalled Allen’s shot-tally (7), with six in the second half.
“(Sam Houston is) a great team,” Blackburn said. “They have great quality and their attacking play is good. Sometimes there’s a psychological element too. When you go up, maybe you kind of sit back a bit, but, after that brief period, I felt like we got back into it and asserted ourselves.
“There’s always trust in our players. We have the quality. We have the togetherness. This group is special. And I’m looking forward to the third round.”
Allen advances to play Keller in the regional semifinals later this week at a time and location to be determined.
Speed down the wings: See photos from Allen’s boys soccer playoffs win over Arlington Sam Houston
View GalleryArea results:
Frisco Emerson 2, McKinney North 0
El Paso Coronado 4, Mansfield 1: Jesuit will face El Paso Coronado later this week at a time and location to be determined.
Jesuit 3, Flower Mound Marcus 3 (9-8 PKs): Marcus led 3-1 in regulation before Jesuit scored twice in 45 seconds during final three minutes. Jesuit moves on to face El Paso Coronado. Cooper McGough Luca Shipley scored the regulation goals for Jesuit.
Keller 4, El Paso Pebble Hills 0: Keller will play Allen in the regional semifinal later this week.
Odessa 3, Byron Nelson 1
Pinkston 3, Gainesville 2: Pinkston will face Pittsburg in the regional semifinal later this week.
Rockwall 3, Skyline 2: Goals from Hudson Morgan, Brandon Alvarado and Kohen Salazar put Rockwall through to the regional semifinal. Jack Gillilan provided multiple assists on the night as well.
Southlake Carroll 5, El Paso Montwood 0
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