Headed in the Right Direction: Miranda's Goal Lifts East over Central

Alan Miranda doesn’t prefer to score with his head, but it is happening an awful lot lately.

The Brookfield East junior headed in two goals, including the game winner in double-overtime, as the Spartans knocked off rival Brookfield Central 3-2 in front of a raucous crowd Tuesday night.

East is 12-2-0 overall and 4-1-0 in the Greater Metro Conference. Central, which also lost in double overtime to No. 1 Marquette, is 2-3-0 in the conference and 5-3-1 in all games.

“I normally score with my feet,” Miranda said. “A few days ago, I scored in overtime against Kettle Moraine, again on a header. I don’t know, these three headers, it’s been different for me.”

Miranda found himself in the right spot at the right time in the game’s second overtime.

Tied at 2 with just over four minutes remaining in the game, Spartan keeper Alex Cagle made a save and then booted the ball down field. Miranda, the only East player within 20 yards, outran the Lancer defense, got his head on the high-bouncing ball and lofted it over the retreating keeper for the game winner.

“I saw ‘AC’ kick the ball and I wanted the goal so I just headed it and it went in,” Miranda said after being mobbed by teammates and fans. “It’s such a good feeling because (Central is) our rivals and our school gets really excited.”

Miranda opened up the scoring as well, scoring in just the sixth minute. Junior Ben Kosmider placed a corner kick from the left side perfectly to a wide-open Miranda, who calmly headed the ball in the top right corner of the net.

Central answered back in the seesaw match just nine minutes later when senior Stuart McBain headed a ball played inside the box past a helpless keeper to even things up.

The Spartans continued to push the tempo, however, and created another golden opportunity in the 18th minute by drawing a penalty inside the box. Senior captain Mark Heydt took the PK and calmly slotted it home to regain the lead.

“It was a good game,” Brookfield East head coach Herbert Dundun said. “Momentum shifted back and forth and I’m just happy we were able to get it done.”

Despite the fact that East possessed much of the ball in the second half and created more dangerous possessions, Central hung around and was able to tie the game up on another goal by McBain.

After a free kick was played into the box, East was unable to clear the ball and McBain eventually got his head to it and chipped it over the goalie.

Although both teams created a handful of good chances through the first 15 minutes of overtime, it appeared this game was destined for a draw. That is, until Miranda abruptly put his stamp on this rivalry.

“(Miranda) is a very opportunistic player,” Dundun said. “He can find himself in the right place and he’s finishing a high percent of his chances. We’re glad he got it done for us.”