Sports

Soccer loses state championship in second golden goal overtime

Roundup

February 15, 2012

Brophy 1

Hamilton 2

By Michael Moroney ’13
THE ROUNDUP

After a 107 minute marathon game, a sudden death Hamilton goal gave the Huskies a 2-1 victory over the Brophy soccer team in the second overtime period of the state championship game on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Campo Verde High School.

The Broncos and Huskies would have gone to penalty kicks just minutes later had the game remained tied at 1-1. The game-winning goal was kicked in with just 3:26 remaining in the golden goal overtime period.

“We played relentlessly the whole match, they just got lucky in the end,” said head coach Mr. Marc Kelly ’87. “I was really impressed with our effort.”

Multiple diving saves by Nate Sundermeier ’12 guided the Brophy defense throughout the overtime periods, but it wasn’t enough as the Bronco offense was unable to score the decisive goal.

“This was one of the best games I’ve ever seen from Nate, he really stepped up under pressure,” said starting varsity defenseman Ian Poblete ’13. “He definitely deserved a win.”

Riggs Lennon ’13 had the lone goal for the Broncos on a left-footed shot in the 11^th minute. This was his Brophy record 51^st score of the season.

Throughout the game, Lennon just missed on other attempts, including a would-be game winner that just sailed above the cross bar in the 72^nd minute.

Hamilton knotted the game at a goal apiece with just 10 minutes remaining in regulation.

The Huskies were attacking throughout the contest, but the Broncos held until the final score. Most notably, jumping saves by Sundermeier in the 42^nd and 77^th minute blocked Hamilton scoring attempts.

Brophy defenders Clarence Clark ’13 and Zach Hudson ’12 also both kicked dangerous loose balls out of the crease area on multiple occasions.

“The defense was outstanding for both teams,” Mr. Kelly said. “Nate and the rest of the defense stopped the game from ending earlier.”

Clark took a screaming line drive ball to the face in the 87^th minute but was able to finish the game.

The game was back and forth throughout the first overtime and both golden goal periods. A Hamilton shot in the 82^nd minute ricocheted off the crossbar and nearly ended the game earlier.

Last year, the Broncos won the state championship game in a 1-0 shutout against the Huskies.

Brophy finished the season with an overall record of 20-2-1.

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