Kennedy Wins Soccer Title in Match Halted by Officials

Officials stopped a soccer match at Kennedy High on Wednesday when the ejection of a San Fernando player caused teammates and spectators to rush onto the field. Kennedy won, 2-1, to clinch the Mid-Valley League title.

Problems began after a disputed penalty kick by Brian Singer provided Kennedy with its winning margin with less than 10 minutes to play.

San Fernando’s Jose Ochoa was given a yellow card for arguing the call. Minutes later, teammate Enrique Moreno was ejected. San Fernando players and spectators then came onto the field and the game was stopped.

An official was kicked but was not injured. There were no confrontations between opposing players.

“Bad officiating let the game get out of hand,” San Fernando Coach Arturo Vasquez said. “The referee didn’t let the kids express themselves. He ejected (Moreno) for no reason at all.”

Kennedy (12-2-1, 8-2) opened the scoring in the early minutes on a breakaway goal by Jeff Abrams. San Fernando tied the score late in the first half on Ricardo Coyt’s penalty kick from 15 yards.