Mooney delivers first for Valley

The Cardinals defeated Columbus DeSales 2-1 to become the Mahoning Valley's first state high school soccer champion.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Pat Walker couldn't have dreamt of a better ending to his high school soccer career.
Walker scored two close-quarters goals, both off brilliant passes from Kiki Willis, as Cardinal Mooney defeated Columbus DeSales 2-1 in overtime Saturday to win the Division II state soccer championship at Crew Stadium.
The victory represents the first prep soccer championship for the Mahoning Valley.
Willis, a sophomore who has been named first-team all-state, drew special defensive coverage from the Stallions, but still twice found Walker free as Mooney (21-2) ran its win streak to 16 matches.
"Pat has really matured," Mooney coach Lenny Krispinsky said. "When somebody marks up Kiki, he gets open. Pat and Kiki have compliment each other so well; they worked great in tandem."
Both have good numbers
Willis finished the year with 38 goals and 12 assists, while Walker collected 28 goals and nine assists.
The Stallions (15-4-4) got off two good shots early and scored when the game was just 70 seconds old. Mike Seminerio took a pass in the box and blasted a 10-yard kick past Mooney goalie Tim Reigrut.
Despite weathering a strong DeSales attack, the Cardinals knotted the game at the 25:45 mark of the first half.
Willis dribbled around double coverage who seemed stunned by his speed and crossed the ball to Walker.
"Kiki was covered by a larger guy who we knew would be a little bit slower," Walker said. "We wanted to get the ball to Kiki's feet. He got the ball in the corner and went around two guys and crossed the ball. I just stuck my foot out there and it went in."
Tough defense
DeSales had more shots in the first half (10-4) and in the regulation (21-9), but couldn't solved the tough Mooney defense of Kenny Huber, Mike Hernan, Josh Werning and Kevin Miller.
With 1:02 left in the first of two 10-minute overtime sessions, Walker got the match-winner.
Willis worked in the right wing against good coverage, but found a seam for a 19-yard try. The DeSales goalie dove but missed.
"I don't know if it was a shot or a cross," said Walker of the ball from Willis. "I don't know. I don't want to ask. I don't care. The goalie dove. It went through his hands and was sitting right in front of the goal for me. It was a little gift."
Krispinsky was quick to acknowledge it was the creative play of Willis that gave his team its chances.
Opened opportunities
"Everybody marked him; everybody doubled him. We let them [do it] to create some opportunities for our guys."
Mooney has now won state championships in five sports (four football, two golf, one track and field, one cross country and one soccer).
"Mooney has a rich athletic tradition in all sports," Krispinsky said.
And a rich tradition in W's -- as in Walker, Willis and wins.
"He's the most unselfish player I've ever seen," Krispinsky said of Willis. "He's the most coach-able kid I've ever had.
"This kid would rather dish the ball off than try to force the ball in where there's a chance the ball could be picked off by a defender."
sullivan@vindy.com