U14 boys soccer squad goes 2-0-1, but does not advance due to
tie-breaker rule
MORGAN HILL – The Orchard Valley U14 Boys’ Class I soccer club won two games and tied the third, but did not advance in State Cup play, due to a technicality in the CYSA tie-breaking procedures.
For the second year in a row, the Davis Gunners advanced to the Round of 16, leaving the Stingrays home. Knowing that they were tied with the Davis Gunners in the standings (2-0-1), in goal differential (both teams at +5), in fewest goals allowed (both at 4), and in goals scored (both at 9), the teams were preparing for a penalty kick shootout to decide the winner.
But, the small print of the rules showed that the “goals scored” tie-breaker was limited to four per game, thereby the Gunners (8) advanced past the Stingrays (7) to this Sunday’s match.
Despite not advancing, the Stingrays enjoyed a successful weekend of soccer games.
Stingrays 2, Gunners 2
The Stingrays opened with a 2-2 tie against the Davis Gunners on Saturday. Early on in the first half, it appeared as if the Stingrays would avenge last season’s heartbreaking loss to the Davis squad, as they controlled play, and took an early 1-0 lead. After a long lead pass from striker Ricardo Plata found midfielder Brendant Palomo open on the wing, Palomo fired a shot which the keeper stopped, but the ball bounced out in front of the goal. Palomo continued on, and fired a shot past the keeper for the advantage, with the play being setup by Bryan Faulk on a crossing pass.
The Gunners came out aggressive in the second half, and had six shots on goal before the Stingrays could mount an offensive threat. One of the shots found the net, and the game was tied 1-1.
The Stingrays quickly rebounded to take a 2-1 advantage, this time with Murilo Almeida scoring on a beautiful touch shot over the goalkeeper, with the assist going again to Plata.
The Stingrays couldn’t hold the lead though, as a scrum in front of the goal resulted in the tying score late in the half. The tie would eventually hurt the Orchard Valley squad, leading into Sunday’s action.
Sunday morning the Stingrays were in a must-win situation, as the Diablo Valley host team had won their previous game and needed a win or a tie to eliminate Orchard Valley.
Stingrays 1, Galaxy 0
But the Stingrays played their best game of 2004, winning a 1-0 decision behind a shutout from goalkeeper Sheldon Steenhuis and his defense of sweeper Danny Nelson, stopper Kevin Grove, and fullbacks Eric Miller and Nick Rodriquez. All 17 shots from the Galaxy were stopped.
The Stingrays got on the board in the first three minutes, as Plata blasted a left-footed shot to the upper corner from 25 yards, off an assist from Matt Altamirano. Palomo also continued his excellent play over the weekend, as he started the play with a nice touch pass.
Newcomers to the Stingrays (due to several injuries) Hugo Arriaga, James Bergis, and Jeff Blean each played contributing roles in the victory. The Stingrays’ midfield of Noel Vera, Myles Downing, and Blake Presar were solid in slowing down the speedy Galaxy forwards.
Stingrays 6, Ajax United 2
Playing on an adjacent field with the Gunners, and tied in points going into the final game, the Stingrays notched a 6-2 victory over Ajax United.
Midway through the first half, Matt Altamirano scored the first of his three goals, off a nice feed from Arriaga. Late in the half, Kevin Grove took advantage of the slight breeze and blasted a free kick from beyond the mid-field stripe just above the goalie’s hands and below the crossbar.
Leading 2-0 at half-time, the Stingrays knew they needed more goals to secure the tie-breaker over Davis, which was ahead 1-0.
The Stingrays gave up a questionable foul in the penalty box and Ajax scored on the penalty kick to cut the lead to 2-1. Things were not getting better for the Stingrays, as Davis also scored to lead 2-0 in its game. But the Stingrays responded with heart and desire, and pounded four more goals into the net for a decisive 6-1 lead.
Altamirano scored two more goals, one on a penalty kick, for the Stingrays’ first hat trick of the season. Almeida and Plata also contributed in the scoring, and with a 6-1 lead and the score of the Davis-DVSC game still at 2-0, it looked as if the Stingrays would advance to the Round of 16. The Stingrays gave up a late goal to come out on top by four.
