Yahoo Movies Game-winning goal with World Cup flair named USA TODAY HSSA November Play of the Month
The most heart-stopping high school play from the month of November came during stoppage time.
Sophomore Casey Milliken's game-winning goal helped clinch the MIAA Division 2 boys soccer state championship for Oliver Ames High School on Nov. 19 in Walpole, Massachusetts.
The play has been selected by the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards as its Play of the Month for November.
Milliken's strike helped polish off a wild, last-gasp comeback by Oliver Ames, which erased a one-goal deficit in the final minutes of stoppage time to defeat second-seeded Hopkinton, 3-2.
The play started with senior Jake Williams carrying the ball across midfield before lofting a 40-yard through-ball to Milliken, who had carved out some space in the middle of the 18-yard box.
Showcasing some serious body control, Milliken makes a play on the ball mid-air with his back originally to the sideline, swinging his leg bicycle-kick style to flick the ball over the fully-extended keeper.
Check out the full highlight here:
1:55 left in the MA State Championship game and Sophomore All-American Casey Milliken does this! Are you kidding me?
@SportsCenter @CoachJohn1010
#SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/S1BgaTQ4C7— Jojo Cerqueira (@jmc2999) November 20, 2022
It was the exclamation point on a stellar sophomore season for Milliken, who finished the season with 23 goals and 21 assists. The All-American was named Hockomock League MVP, All-Eastern Mass. and All-State.
This play — along with the Play of the Month winners for August, September and October — is now a nominee for 2022-23 national Play of the Year!
The USA TODAY High School Sports Awards is the largest high school sports recognition program in the country, honoring athletes from all 50 states. Top student-athletes in over 30 sports will be announced in teams of 24 nominees throughout this 2022-23 academic year, culminating with national player of the year announcements in each sport during this summer's big event.
Play of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rising Star, Courage Award and Special Olympics Athlete of the Year will be among this year's many national premiere award categories. Visit the event website for updates leading up to this summer's on-demand event.
And in case you missed it, be sure to check out last year's show with hosts Rob Gronkowski and Vernon Davis!
Before you go ...
Send us your own national Play of the Month highlights for December!
High School Play of the Month suggestions can be submitted to both roleary@usatventures.com and BFontana@usatventures.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA TODAY High School Sports Awards November Play of the Month
