In a first, Moscoso makes winning 32-yard field goal with 4 seconds left as South Elgin tops West Aurora

Senior kicker Danny Moscoso is used to being in pressure situations for South Elgin, even though it’s usually a different kind of football. He’s the goalkeeper for the Storm’s boys soccer team.

Over the past two seasons, Moscoso has faced plenty of big moments for that program, but over the summer, he decided to try his hand — and foot — at kicking for the football team.

Has he ever been in this situation?

“In this sport, no, but in soccer, yes,” Moscoso said of handling tense scenarios before in the latter stages of an important game. “Last year, I was under a lot of pressure. I’m used to pressure.”

He experienced a whole different type of pressure to close Friday’s slugfest against West Aurora.

With the Upstate Eight West title hanging in the balance, Moscoso made a 32-yard field goal with four seconds left on the clock, lifting host South Elgin to a dramatic 29-27 win over West Aurora.

It was the first field goal Moscoso had ever converted in a game.

Oliver Johnston and Carter McDonald each threw TD passes for South Elgin (6-1, 5-0). Lamari Smith produced 158 yards and a TD on 23 carries. Diesel Fecarotta blocked a punt and landed on it in the end zone for another TD. Semaj Collier caught nine passes for 100 yards and a TD.

Tyler Fecht only completed five passes for West Aurora (4-3, 4-1), but that included TD passes to Richard Bell Jr. and Brendon Salach. He also caught an 11-yard TD pass from Bell on a trick play. Michael Williams ran for 81 yards and a TD.

South Elgin’s decision at the end had three options. The Storm could have gone for the TD. Jeffrey Espana, the regular kicker who executed the onside kick, could have attempted the field goal.

Or Moscoso, the new kid on the block, could come out for the kick of his life.

“In terms of long-distance kicks, Danny did a nice job showing his leg and was really executing in practice,” South Elgin coach Pat Pistorio said. “He’s a competitor. In soccer, he gets after it.

“He had that look in his eyes and he reassured me that he’s got it, so I trusted him. Heart rate was down and he executed.”

South Elgin coughed up a two-TD lead but had a chance to tie things back up with 1:18 left in the fourth quarter. McDonald hit Collier for a 23-yard TD, but the Storm went for the 2-point conversion and the win and came up short.

Atter recovering the onside kick, though, they were back in business. South Elgin then faced a fourth-and-7 from the Blackhawks’ 16-yard line. McDonald had to switch from QB to holder quickly.

“The snap was a little high, so I just had to get it down for the team,” McDonald said. “I didn’t talk to him — just let him do his thing, stay in his mode and do what he does best.”

When Moscoso showed up at football camp at the end of July, he made sure he was prepared.

“You just have to be ready at all times,” Moscoso said. “I hoped I would get the chance. If I did, I had to do the best I could. I was a little nervous, but that happens. I just let it come to me.

“I thought about all the practices and sacrifices that I made.”

Ever since the summer, his teammates have had his back. They showed their support afterward.

“They were grateful I had this opportunity and I made this game-winning kick,” Moscoso said. “They support me a lot.”

Now, the Storm are a win over Elgin away from the conference title. In a wild one full of twists and turns Friday, the most improbable ending put them in this spot.

“That was a great game,” Pistorio said. “I’m excited to see our program grow. This is why we do this.”