Bottino’s goal leads Ringgold over Hillers

Ringgold’s Andrew Bottino breaks down a Trinity defender during play Tuesday at Joe Montana Stadium. Bottino’s late goal was the difference in a 1-0 Rams victory to help send the team to the playoffs.

By DEAN DELLAMALVA JR.

MVI Sports

The Ringgold boys soccer team left Trinity a 1-0 loser in their first meeting back in September. 

The Rams returned the favor Tuesday with a 1-0 win of their own and clinched a berth in the WPIAL playoffs.

In the 74th minute, senior Andrew Bottino took a long pass from junior Brandin Jaki and powered a left-footed shot past Hillers keeper Colby Thomas to break the scoreless tie in the Section 3-3A match.

It was a tough, gritty win for Ringgold (9-6, 7-4) on senior night at Joe Montana Stadium.

“It took us a really long time to settle down, what you saw was not usually how we play,” said Rams coach Steve Persaud. “(Trinity) is a good team, they have hustlers. They were making it difficult for us to get into the game we like to play. But the team that (gutted) it out was going to win this game.”

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