KIRKWOOD – Anthony Randazzo never wavered.
The Vianney junior rocketed four shots within the frame of the Kirkwood goal from practically the same, exact spot on the field. Each one was denied by the Pioneers’ keeper.
“When the first couple shots don’t go in, it’s a little frustrating, but I was having so many chances, I knew it was coming,” Randazzo said.
Randazzo’s faith paid off with the game-winning goal in the 68th minute to propel Vianney to 1-0 victory over Kirkwood in a Class 4 District 1 semifinal Wednesday on Don Heeb Field at Vianney High.
The Griffins (19-5-1), which won their 11th consecutive game, advanced to face Lindbergh (20-5) in the District 1 championship game at 5 p.m. Friday at Vianney.
Randazzo, a center midfielder, found heavy congestion in the middle of the field as Kirkwood employed a defensive strategy to force the ball to the sidelines throughout the first half.
His first shot came during a perfectly-executed give-and-go with senior Ben Perkins. His second shot developed after a 50-yard throw-in by senior Logan Gabel. Both attempts were denied by Kirkwood keeper Camden Grabau and the game entered halftime scoreless.
“They were squeezing in the middle early in the game, but a quick one-two touch and being explosive off the ball was really the key,” Randazzo said.
In the second half, Randazzo found space to operate.
He raced through the center of the field inside the penalty area, only to have the hustling right foot of Kirkwood senior Tyler Reynolds knock the ball free from behind.
A slick passing play involving senior Aiden Mayer and Perkins sent Randazzo in alone, but his shot sailed inches high and pinballed between the football crossbar and the soccer crossbar.
Moments later, he got loose again, and once again Grabau gobbled up his rocket from 19 yards away. It was Randazzo’s third prime scoring chance in the first 12 minutes of the second half.
“I have to credit my assistant coaches. They reminded the boys to not get frustrated when you miss a good chance, but to be thankful, because you’re going to get another opportunity,” Vianney coach Brian Haddock said.
The excellent chances continued, thanks to a complete defensive effort by the Griffins. Their ability to win head balls in the midfield and deny long passes over the top allowed for a relentless offensive surge throughout most of the second half.
“I thought we did great job defending them but not jumping in, and when they weren’t pressing, we looked for long balls and switching the ball (side-to-side),” senior defender Frank Homa said.
Consistent play in the offensive third allowed other Vianney players to join Randazzo in the near-miss parade.
In a four-minute span, Perkins and senior Aidan Mayer both blasted shots that were rejected by Grabau and a 25-yard laser by junior Logan Russell gonged the crossbar.
“We were defending a little bit more into the second half, and if you keep defending against a quality team, eventually the dam will break,” Kirkwood coach Michael Quante said.
And it was Randazzo who levied the decisive blow.
A quick give-and-go with Perkins sent Randazzo into the clear. He arrived at the same spot he had visited so many times, 19-yards in front of the net. This time he tucked a shot inside the right post and past the diving arms of Grabau.
“I played a quick one-two touch with (Perkins), I found the space, I took it, I had a rip at it and I made it,” Randazzo said.
For Haddock, an important lesson could be gleaned by watching the resilience of Randazzo.
“It was amazing to see how Anthony, who continued to get the same chance, scored the goal on a carbon copy of the first four that were saved,” he said. “The message there is, ‘Don’t put your head down, but be thankful because you’re going to get back on the saddle and get it.’ It proved to the team why that is so important.”
Vianney, which was 17-0-1 against Kirkwood from 2005-17, snapped a three-game losing streak to the Pioneers, including a 4-0 setback in a Class 4 quarterfinal in 2019.
Haddock had high praise for Kirkwood, which began the game with near-misses on shot attempts by Graham Stevener and Luke Butler. The Pioneers played the Griffins even through the first 40 minutes before the excellent speed, spacing and defense of Vianney proved too much to overcome.
“That was one heck of a Kirkwood team, coached superbly,” Haddock said. “They gave us a style that was unique, yet very effective for what they wanted to do, and it gave us fits.”
Kirkwood (16-7) enjoyed its best season since 2019 when it went 21-5 and reached the state quarterfinal. The Pioneers opened the season with a victory over final four-bound Rochester (Illinois) and continued their impressive season with wins over powerhouses CBC, Summit, Webster Groves and Ladue.
“We had some quality wins throughout the year. This group of seniors led the team very well, continued to raise the bar, and set an even higher standard for the returning players,” Quante said.
And for Vianney, which is amid its longest winning streak since 2013, the pieces have come together at the perfect time.
“I don’t underestimate finishing strong. This is the time of year you want to be clicking,” Haddock said.
For senior captain Homa, team chemistry is the ingredient that has guided the Griffins to this point.
“We’re close friends both on and off the field, and that really binds us together,” Homa said.
Randazzo added, “We’re always pushing each other during practice. We’re motivated and focused on the moment.”