BRANTFORD _ The North Park Collegiate Trojans proved Thursday afternoon that they're not the type of team that tosses in the towel at the first sign of trouble. The Trojans overcame a 2-0 deficit to edge the Brantford Collegiate Institute Mustangs 3-2 in a Brant County high school boys' soccer game at Waterworks Park.
It was the second game of the season for both squads and it left each team with a record of one win and one loss.
In other action, the Paris District High School Panthers defeated the Assumption College Lions 3-2 to move into first place and the Pauline Johnson Collegiate Thunderbirds upset the St. John's College Green Eagles 2-1.
The Panthers hold the top spot with a 2-0 record and the defending champion Lions are last at 0-2. The T-Birds and Eagles are tied with the Trojans and the Mustangs at 1-1.
``We had some tough breaks but I've got to hand it to North Park,'' said BCI coach Tennyson Ulysse. ``They were tough and very physical which is fine. It's part of the game and they prevailed.''
Grade 10 star Yohan Kagoma scored on a header in the 28th minute to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.
Kagoma increased the Mustangs' lead to 2-0 in the 36th minute when he was able to tap in a loose ball on the North Park goal line. North Park goalkeeper Evan Cooper dived to make a difficult save near the corner of the net but he wasn't able to control the ball.
The Trojans got rolling in the final minute of the first half when they sailed a corner kick to the far side of the field. North Park's Paul Garbaty gained control of the ball and scored with a high shot over the defenders and into the top part of the BCI net.
North Park tied the score on Bartech Hecht's penalty kick in the first minute of the second half.
North Park went ahead in the 11th minute on a play which started with a free kick which was deflected to the right of the BCI goal. Trojans' Sam Menhinick got possession of the ball to score the go-ahead goal.
Mustangs' Jesse Jenkins came within inches of tying the score in the final minutes as he drove a hard shot towards the top part of the Trojans' net. However, Cooper jumped and managed to deflect the ball with his hands over the goal.
``We stayed together,'' said Gerry Vitiello, co-coach of the Trojans with Andrea (Gump) Hawkins.
``The Garbaty goal showed that if we moved into space a little better, instead of everyone going to one spot, we'd get some better shots. Earlier everyone seemed to be going to the same spot. That goal picked us up.''
Ulysse agreed that Garbaty's goal was the turning point in the game.
``That's when they began to get more physical and we couldn't handle it,'' he said. ``We need to work on our physical play. It was their day today.''
Ulysse credited team captain Chris Howes, a midfielder and defender, and Jeremy Szabo, a tiny forward, for playing strong games.
``Jeremy is an upcoming player,'' Ulysse said. ``He has the skill but he doesn't have the mass.''
Vitiello noted that defender Mark Shouten and forward Jason Bowen played strong games for the Trojans.
Eagles' coach Peter Pomponio, who watched his squad defeat the Lions 8-4 Tuesday, praised the T-Birds for their effort.
``PJ did a great job and we couldn't finish,'' Pomponio said. ``They were pumped up and they deserved to be. They deserved it. Our hats are off to them, that's for sure.''
Richie Britton and Steve Allen scored the T-Birds' goals. Mike Lenda replied for the Eagles.
Allen scored the deciding goal with 15 minutes remaining.
``We gave it away and they capitalized,'' Pomponio said. ``They only had a few chances and they scored twice. Defensively we were OK but offensively we lacked support. We had our chances to score but we just didn't score.''
``Good hard work is what brought the win,'' said T-Birds' coach John Whitlock. ``They never quit. They gave a great effort.''
The T-Birds were particuarly pleased with the work of goalkeeper James Hake and Cameron Allen, who anchored a strong defensive line which included Casey Calder and Jesse Jamieson.
``He (Allen) was the heart and soul of the defence,'' said Whitlock.
Mark and Matt Hoogkamp and Mark Wilson also played well in the midfield.
Ben MacMillan scored two goals to lead the Panthers over the Lions. Jon Hillis also scored for the winners.
Adam Hall, Jay Kielec and Josh Speagle also played well for the Panthers.
Assumption's goal scorers were not submitted to The Expositor.