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Thomas Laaksonen's extra-time goal pushes Holy Family Catholic boys past Providence Academy

By Ryan Williamson, SportsEngine, 09/24/22, 2:00PM CDT

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The Fire got the best of their section rivals after falling behind 1-0 in the first half.

Thomas Laaksonen (25) gave Holy Family an overtime win, scoring his ninth goal of the season in the 84th minute of play.  Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Thomas Laaksonen (25) gave Holy Family an overtime win, scoring his ninth goal of the season in the 84th minute of play. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Based on his team speech prior to overtime in Saturday’s match against Providence Academy, Holy Family Catholic coach Jorge Oconitrillo may want to consider a career change to a psychic, thanks to a little ESP.

With the match tied, Oconitrillo mentioned that he envisioned the team winning on a goal by junior forward Thomas Laaksonen that would go to the right side of the net.

Holy Family's Eric Oconitrillo (19) moves the ball around defender Andrew Owen (9). Oconitrillo scored the Fire's tying goal on a corner kick that defelected off of a Providence Academy defender. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Holy Family's Eric Oconitrillo (19) moves the ball around defender Andrew Owen (9). Oconitrillo scored the Fire's tying goal on a corner kick that defelected off of a Providence Academy defender. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

First report

Holy Family Catholic junior forward Thomas Laaksonen’s goal in the 84th minute proved to be the difference between two highly-ranked foes as the Fire picked up a key 2-1 road victory against Providence Academy on Saturday.

The intensity between these Class 1A, Section 6 rivals was evident in the early goings. Providence Academy, ranked No. 3 in the latest Class 1A coaches’ poll, took control of the early action and topped it off with a goal in the 21st minute when senior forward Ryan Hutt beat Fire goalkeeper Jackson Baker to put the Lions (6-3-2, 3-2-2) ahead 1-0.

That lead held past halftime, but the No. 2-1A Fire flipped things in their favor with a bevy of chances. The equalizing goal came in the 57th minute on a corner kick. Eric Oconitrillo dropped a corner kick into the box and the ball deflected off a Lion defender and into the net to tie the match.

The game went to overtime, but not for lack of chances. The two goalkeepers — Baker and Providence Academy’s Benjamin Martin — combined for 26 saves. Baker finished with 10 saves while Martin stopped 16 shots.

In the extra time, the Fire (8-1-1, 5-0-0) had a number of chances, but it was Laaksonen who broke through to give the Fire the win.

Ryan Hutt (23) and Braylon Cummings (3) battle for possession along the sideline. Hutt scored Providence Academy's lone goal in the first half. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

Ryan Hutt (23) and Braylon Cummings (3) battle for possession along the sideline. Hutt scored Providence Academy's lone goal in the first half. Photo by Cheryl A. Myers, SportsEngine

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