By SHIVAM SUDAME
Staff Writer
Boys Varsity Soccer lost 1-0 against Norwalk in the quarterfinals on Saturday, February 25, ending a fabulous season.. Looking to sweep into the finals and win a CIF Division IV title, the Trojans fell short in a tight match.
The match was a defensive showcase all game, as the high-scoring Trojans, averaging over 2.7 goals a game, were stifled e. The Trojan defense, stingy as always, lasted the full 90 minutes without conceding a goal, but the usually potent offense couldn’t seem to break through and finish.
Regulation ended 0-0, and the game went on to extra-time. The CIF format is modified from the usual format. The end of regular time does, in fact, signal an extra-time period, and penalties follow extra-time. However, rather than a regular 30 minute period, the CIF format has a 20 minute golden-goal extra-time period, meaning that the first to score wins, and the game is over.
The extra-time period started, and within two minutes, the Lancers scored and the game was over. The team seemed stunned, and as Norwalk wheeled off in celebration, the Trojans held their heads and walked off the field.
However, not all is negative for the team. Lee McEligot (So.) said, “Losing in the quarterfinals was heartbreaking, but after our magnificent season, this team really made a mark on UNI’s soccer program, and will go down in history as one of the best teams the school has ever seen.”
Not only was it one of the best teams the school has ever seen, due to its youth, the team should be even better next season. The dangerous attacking trio of Pedro Palmaka (So.), Sebastian Hertel (So.), and Luis Moros (So.) will continue smashing them in next year, as they scored 11, 12, and 12 goals, respectively.
Captain Jimmy Choi (Jr.) will look to build on his eight clean sheets from this season. Currently ranked 94 in the country and 24 in the state, the team seems to be on an uphill rise.
