EAST WHEELING – Eighty minutes wasn’t enough to decide Thursday night’s OVAC Class 1A/3A boys’ soccer tournament semifinal between No. 1 Wheeling Central and No. 4 Wood County Christian on the artificial pitch at the 16th Street Field.

The first 5-minute extra session nearly wasn’t enough, either. However, there was enough time on the clock for Matt Criniti’s golden-goal late in the 84th minute that lifted the Maroon Knights (9-2) to a thrill-packed, 1-0, triumph over the Wildcats (9-4).

“I honestly didn’t think it was going to go in at first,” the senior admitted. “It was a long shot. I was probably a good 30 yards out. I’m thankful enough that I placed it just right to get it by the keeper.”

The hard-earned victory earns Wheeling Central a chance at repeating against No. 2 Steubenvill

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