Mariner's soccer season ends in controversial fashion

The Mariner Marauders were left steaming in anger.

Their dream season had just Mulberry Bag been brought to an abrupt end, and they weren't at all happy with the manner in which it was cut short.

Mariner's season ended in controversial fashion Saturday night at Goddard Stadium, as the Marauders were knocked out in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A boys soccer state tournament by a 3-2 overtime defeat at the hands of the Skyline Spartans.

Skyline's Austin Dodd scored the tying goal with just seconds remaining in regulation and Pedro Miola found the net two minutes into sudden-death overtime as Skyline (14-2-2) advanced mulberry handbag to next weekend's final four.

But the Marauders (17-4) think they're the ones who should be moving on as they believe Dodd's goal should never have been allowed.

"I thought we fought hard enough to win this game," a glaring Mariner coach Vince DeSimone said. "We were ahead, we got what we wanted, we had the win. But I'm not going to blame the refs, that's how it goes."

Mariner appeared set for its first state semifinal berth in school history. The Marauders led 2-1 deep into second-half extra time, thanks to a pair of wonder goals from Yahir Sandoval. Mariner's fans were lined up at the fence, ready to storm the field in celebration and chanting, "Blow the whistle."

The Spartans, in desperation, hoofed the ball into the Mariner penalty box from midfield. The ball skipped across the box, with Mariner goalkeeper Ulises Hernandez bending low to scoop it up. However, Hernandez was leveled by a Skyline player, and Dodd nipped in to put the loose ball into the net.

The goal was initially given by the referee. After howls of protest from the Marauders, the referee went to consult with the linesman. A brief discussion ensued, but the goal was upheld and the game went to overtime.

"Those kind of goals, I don't know," DeSimone said. "You can't challenge the keeper before he's got the ball and just take him out."

Skyline coach Don Braman Mulberry bags sale thought the Spartan player got to the ball before running into Hernandez.

"Travis Strong was right in there before," Braman said. "I think it flicked off Travis, off the keeper, and then Austin was there to knock that one in.

"We know their goalkeeper is really good," Braman added. "We scouted and understand he's not only huge, but has great hands. We knew that in order for us to have a chance we'd have to get in there to compete with him for it. I don't have the tallest boys on the field, really, but they're in there scrapping away."

The Spartans, who had the run of play through most of the game, now had the momentum, too. And it was inevitably a similar goal that ended the game in OT. Another long ball from midfield was headed goalward by Dodd at the far post. Hernandez, who had made several stunning saves with the Marauders leading 2-1, was only able to block Dodd's header, and Miola raced in to clean up the garbage and begin the Skyline celebrations.

The controversial finish spoiled a special performance by Sandoval. Sandoval, Mariner's star senior forward, barely had a whiff of the ball all game, thanks to an organized Skyline defense. But twice he was given small openings, and both times he squeezed through to give the Marauders the lead.

First, in the 38th minute, he drew a foul 22 yards from goal. He took the free kick himself, and his powerful shot bent around the Skyline wall and into the right corner to give Mariner a 1-0 lead.

After Miola's header deflected off a defender and past a wrong-footed Hernandez two minutes into the second half to tie it, Sandoval struck again. This time Miguel Medina won the ball in his own half and had space to speed up the field. Medina then looped a pass over the top and into the path of Sandoval on a full sprint. Sandoval reached the bouncing ball at the edge of the penalty box, and on his first touch he rocketed a shot into the far corner to restore Mariner's advantage.

Unfortunately for the Marauders, that lead did not hold. Yet DeSimone was still able to take pride in what was a wonderful season for Mariner. The Marauders reached the state tournament for the first time in 18 years, and the quarterfinal appearance matched Mariner's previous best effort in 1991.

"These guys fought tooth and nail all the way through," DeSimone said. "I'm disappointed with the way the game finished, but it was a great season for the Mariner Marauders."