By Phil Murphy
Senior Multimedia/Content Editor
Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area
*Click the links on the top-left for full video and photo coverage of Wednesday’s game.*
With a moment of wizardry, Toto guided the Rams past the Colonials, down the yellow brick road into the regional championship game.
Senior George “Toto” Vanegas scored in the 52nd minute with an 18-yard, left-footed shot. That was all Robinson needed to bypass streaking Jefferson, 1-0, in the Northern Region semifinals at Madison on Wednesday.
“I saw the defender coming and I had to take the cut, I couldn’t go right passed him,” said Vanegas, an admitted right-hander. “As I was going in, I had to take the left-footed strike; I could not take the right-footed strike, which I usually would.
“I’m glad I took the left-footed strike.”
Added Colonial coach Sean Burke: “We talked about that before the game and at halftime: If we can reduce our giving it away to them on the counter, we’ll be okay. Sure enough, we gave it away one too many times.
“That was a beautiful goal, though. You could see it coming and we’re like, ‘Oh, ****.’ George cut it in and — bang — and that’s how it goes.”
After a first half where neither side registered a shot on goal, Vanegas’ moment of brilliance was followed by cheers of “Toto” from his elated contingent of friends and family.
Vanegas received the nickname in his infancy from an Italian uncle, an ardent supporter of the Italian national team that finished third in the 1990 World Cup. The Azzuri featured striker Salvatore Schillaci, who was nicknamed “Toto” and surprisingly led the tournament with six goals.
“When I was little, I was playing and a famous soccer player, Toto, popped out of nowhere,” Vanegas said. “My uncle thought I was a great little soccer player, so he decided to name me Toto.
“They were the first words that ever came out of my mouth.”
The Robinson defense withstood numerous surges to equalize by Jefferson, which has made a habit of its own 1-0 wins this year. The Colonials entered with an 8-0-2 record in their last 10 games, and had allowed just one goal in their last nine.
But the Rams themselves have not allowed a goal this postseason, outscoring opponents 11-0 in six games.
The best Jefferson scoring opportunity came on an in-swinging corner kick moments before Robinson took the lead. Colonial junior Sean Lee aimed for the back post, trying to beat Ram standout keeper Samir Badr on the direct kick and his bending serve was only kept out by the crossbar.
Jefferson junior Takahiro Nakamura headed the rebound over the frame and out-of-bounds for a goal kick.
With the win, Robinson not only clinched a title game berth against Westfield, who it beat 3-1 on March 27, but also earned a spot in the state tournament.
“We thought Samir — thanks to DigitalSports — was always cheating near post,” said Burke, who led the Colonials to the 2007 Virginia AAA State title. “We thought we’d play the first couple in near post, get him to get aggressive and then we’d try to score. We scored that way against Stone Bridge and he can score like that, he does it in practice.
“It was planned, but stupid post.”
Email: pmurphy@digitalsports.com
Jefferson (10-3-5) 0 0 — 0
Robinson (14-1-2) 0 1 — 1
Goals:
RB — Vanegas (52)
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