High School Soccer Player Scores Winning Goal Hours After Father's Death
Farmingdale's Adam Vitulano converted a double-overtime goal to advance his team to the Nassau County finals, one day after his father passed away from liver cancer.
Farmingdale High School striker Adam Vitulano scored a game-winning goal in double overtime on Saturday, just a day after his father, John Vitulano, died from liver cancer. The goal propelled the Farmingdale Dalers to a 2-1 victory over Plainview-Old Bethpage and secured their spot in the Nassau County finals.
"It was definitely one of the greatest moments of my life," the 16-year-old junior said in an interview with The Post. He added that he was thinking about how proud his father would have been in that moment. Vitulano, an only child, believes his father will always be with him.
Vitulano has received significant support from his teammates and coaches, who attended his father's services while preparing for the county finals. The Dalers are scheduled to play Oceanside on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Farmingdale State College.
"They’ve just been such an awesome support for me and my family," Vitulano said. "There’s no other team I would want to do it with."
Soccer has been a significant bond between Vitulano and his father since Vitulano was three years old. His father's advice has stayed with him: "Just have fun and don’t let anything get in your way, and always fight through everything." Vitulano expressed his determination to bring energy to the upcoming game, anticipating a challenging start.
Vitulano is ready to deliver another inspired performance, which he feels would mean everything to his family, including his late father. He believes his father will guide the team through the championship game.