Alex Kapp wasn’t necessarily looking for redemption. The Iona Prep goalkeeper just wanted to play in the CHSAA Class A intersectional title game on Sunday.
Kapp made up for a stunning gaffe late in the second half with a huge save in overtime and two more during a penalty-kick shootout to send the Gaels to their first-ever Class A title match, upsetting heavily favored St. Francis Prep, 3-1, during a penalty-kick shootout Tuesday night at Belson Stadium.
“We keep making history,” Iona Prep coach Marcos Monteagudo said. “We’re really excited. I didn’t think we could do this. I penned it as a David vs. Goliath to the kids all day long and here we are. Anything is possible if we believe. They believed, even if their coach didn’t.”
With 1:27 left in the second half, the Gaels appeared on their way thanks to Willya Mekolo’s 19th-minute goal, but Kapp ‘s routine goal kick caromed off the back of Jason Gonzalez’s head and the ball rolled toward his own net. Frank Biordi pounced and scored the unlikely equalizer for St. Francis Prep (15-2-0), ranked No. 2 in the city by The Post.
“I just fell down on my knees and asked why,” Kapp said. “I’m still shocked about the whole situation.”
“I’m 27, but I’ve been watching the game a long time and I’ve never seen anything like that,” Monteagudo said. “It was tough to swallow. On top of that, it’s the best keeper in the league, possibly the state and maybe the country. That one hurt.”
Buoyed by their strange and dramatic tying goal, the Terriers took the game to Iona Prep (11-3-5) in overtime and had a golden chance at the golden goal, but Chris Joseph, who scored a goal and set up another in a 2-0 win against Stepinac in the quarterfinals Sunday, was robbed by Kapp, who made a kick save in the 87th minute.
Kapp, who played for the United States Under-17 national team during the summer, was even bigger during the penalty-kick shootout. He saved Gonzalez’s attempt and then stopped Nick Clifford’s shot to seal a wild victory.
It was actually the Gaels’ second game-winning celebration of the game. Iona Prep thought it had won at the end of the second overtime period on J.R. Gallery’s shot from the top of the 18-yard box, but referee Alan Wharton ruled, after several heated moments, the attempt came after the clock struck zero and the buzzer sounded, ending the game.
Gallery also scored Iona’s first shot during the penalty-kick shootout after Biordi struck for St. Francis Prep. Christian Molano fired over the crossbar and Oscar DeLeon gave the Gaels a 2-1 lead.
After Kapp saved Gonzalez’s shot, Cesar Ceja made it 3-1. Clifford was the Terriers’ last chance, but Kapp again made the save.
“That last PK, I’ve never been so confident in where he was going before,” Kapp said. “As soon as he went up to it, I knew and then [my team] started running. It was such a great feeling.”
A week after losing to Fordham Prep in the Archdiocesan final on penalties, Iona Prep will get a second shot at the Rams in the CHSAA Class A intersectional final Sunday. Fordham Prep defeated two-time defending champions Archbishop Molloy on penalty kicks in the second semifinal.
“Something happened in that Archdiocesan final,” Monteagudo said. “Two weeks ago I would have never envisioned being in the [city final]. We woke up, I thought we outplayed one hell of a team in Fordham Prep and stayed resilient throughout that game and just build on that.”