One moment, Peter Tonsits was writhing on the All-City Stadium turf.
The next, the Classical Academy sophomore was above it, hoisted aloft by his teammates.
Tonsits earned the perch by delivering a perfect shot from 20 yards out to give the Titans a heart-gripping, 2-1 overtime win against previously unbeaten Colorado Springs Christian in Saturday’s Class 3A semifinals.
“Unbelievable shot,” emotional Titans coach Blake Galvin said of Tonsits’ far-post blast from the left side that went just beyond the outstretched hands of Lions keeper Harrison Baker.
Tonsits seemed an unlikely hero considering referees momentarily halted action early in the overtime session to let him recover from leg cramps. Moments later, he was alone with the ball and let it rip.
“It was a lucky shot,” Tonsits said. “But as soon as I shot it, I knew it was going in. It was so crazy. I’ll never be able to do that again.”
The fourth-seeded Titans (13-5-1) avenged a 1-0 loss to CSCS last month, while the top-seeded Lions (18-1) hadn’t lost to anyone.
Classical Academy striker Evan Young had delivered a large percentage of the Titans’ marquee moments this season, and he appeared en route to hero status again. His goal in the 58th minute — it clipped off the foot of a Lions defender — gave Classical Academy a 1-0 lead, but CSCS tied it nine minutes later when Jon Hausknecht’s indirect free kick caromed off a Titans defender.
The Classical Academy 0 1 1 — 2
Colo. Springs Christian 0 1 0 — 1
Goals — TCA, Young, 58th; CSCS, Hausknecht, 67th; TCA, Tonsits, 90th.
Saves — TCA (Mesward) 6; CSCS (Baker) 4.
St. Mary’s 1, Faith Christian 0
St. Mary’s made the all-Colorado Springs final possible by ousting Faith Christian 1-0 on the strength of Evan Niebur’s rebound goal in the 15th minute.
“We lost to TCA 5-0 early in the season, so it’s going to be nice to come back and show them who’s boss,” Niebur said.
St. Mary’s 1 0 — 1
Faith Christian 0 0 — 0
Goals – St. Mary’s, Niebur, 15th.
Saves – St. Mary’s (Calhoun) 2; Faith Christian (O’Dorisio) 2.
