Farmingdale striker Adam Vitulano lost his father, John, to liver cancer Saturday — just a day before he turned the pain into purpose and scored a cathartic double-overtime playoff goal that lifted the Dalers into the Nassau County finals with a 2-1 win over Plainview-Old Bethpage.
“It was definitely one of the greatest moments of my life,” the 16-year-old junior told The Post.
“Just thinking about how proud my dad would have been in that moment,” Vitulano, an only child, added about drilling home his first playoff goal. “I just know that he’ll always be here with me.”
Vitulano isn’t processing the grief alone and said his “family” of Dalers has been in his corner throughout everything.
The team and coaches attended John’s services amid prepping for the county finals vs. Oceanside this Saturday at 2 p.m. at Farmingdale State College.
“They’ve just been such an awesome support for me and my family,” said Vitulano, now in his second varsity season. “There’s no other team I would want to do it with.”
Since age 3, soccer has been a major bond between Vitulano and his dad, who gave Adam golden advice he’s now drawing on ahead of playing the biggest game of his life.
“Just have fun and don’t let anything get in your way, and always fight through everything,” Vitulano said. “I just really want to bring energy to the field. The first five minutes are going to be crazy.”
Vitulano is ready to put on another inspired performance that would mean everything to his family, including his father.
“I know he’s looking down on us, and I think he’s going to be the one to guide us through.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: nypost.com
