Rising McMinnville talent Antonio Virrueta scores last minute stunner to send team to Regionals

Local McMinnville rising talent, Antonio Virrueta, known to many as Tony, scored the equalizing goal the last minute of the game to place Westside Metros 08B Copa Red top of the Northwest Conference League, qualifying them to move on for Regionals.

January 16th, 2023 marked the meeting of second place FC Salmon Creek 08B White and first place Westside Metros 08B Copa Red, tied on points with 5 wins and 1 tie between the two. With Westside ahead on goal difference, FC Salmon Creek needed a win. A back and forth battle between the two squads with Salmon Creek up one goal in the dying minutes of the game, it seemed like they had finished the job and clinched their ticket to the next round. With one minute remaining in the match, the dream of advancing seemed to be slipping for Tony and the WSM 08B with every passing second. The whole tournament coming down to one last corner kick.

With the final corner of the match for Westside and everything on the line, both teams focused in for the final chance of the game. A well placed ball in the box followed by a scramble to get it out caused the ball to get bounced around and landed right on top of the box where Tony waited for his chance. With no hesitation or doubt in his mind, Tony hit the ball with his seasoned left foot right into the top right corner, leaving the goalie with nothing to do but stare. Once everyone grasped what had just happened they ran with pure joy to celebrate the goal that advanced them to the next level of the tournament. Well done, Tony!

https://system.gotsport.com/org_event/events/14892/schedules?group=84800
(Link to the Northwest Conference Team vs Team Standings for 08B as of January 16th, 2023)