BECKLEY, W.Va. — After conceding an early goal to Nitro, Bridgeport rallied to complete a successful defense of their Class AAA state title with a 3-1 victory. The Indians conclude their season with a 22-0-2 record.
Mike Bonasso put Nitro (20-2-1) in front in the eighth minute, scoring his first goal of the season on a free kick. Bridgeport equalized before halftime when Riel Figueroa notched his 39th goal of the season, evening the match at a goal apiece.
The Indians took their first lead of the match in the 44th minute on a goal from Grayson Church, his 33rd. With Nitro pushing players forward in the final minute, Figueroa scored with 12 seconds left to complete the 3-1 victory.
“Everybody kind of predicted that we would face each other in the end. And we did. I know most of those predictions came out that Nitro was going to win. We just used that as a chip on our shoulder,” said Bridgeport head coach Nathaniel Jones.
“They did well to stay disciplined. They did well to keep their eyes up even when we were down a goal and just keep moving forward. It is hard to describe. They are talented. When you put hard work on top of talent, discipline and effort, this is what you get — back-to-back state championships.”