DIVISION II GIRLS : Indirect Approach Helps Arcadia Defeat Canyon

There were many things Tina Thompson saved for Canyon, but in the end, she couldn’t save the day.

With less than a minute left and a tie score in Canyon’s Division II Southern Section girls’ soccer championship against Arcadia on Saturday afternoon at Cerritos Gahr, a Canyon halfback was called for obstruction. Arcadia was awarded an indirect kick approximately six yards from the goal mouth.

Arcadia’s Stephanie DeCastro began the play, then Michele Kennedy stepped in and booted the ball over a wall of Canyon players, who watched helplessly as the high kick bolted past Thompson to ensure Arcadia’s 2-1 victory.

The call surprised both sides--Canyon was stunned, Arcadia elated.

“The fullback was holding me, she wouldn’t let me in,” Kennedy said. “But I didn’t think it was going to be called back. . . . When you have an indirect (kick) that close, you have to hit it as hard as you can.”

Thompson appeared to be the most composed Comanche afterward. A senior goalkeeper who made 17 saves, she offered a strong shoulder and an open ear to console her crushed teammates.

“Calling obstruction after (Arcadia) was complaining at midfield,” she said. “That’s a weak call. I’ve seen it twice in my career.”

That’s twice more than Canyon Coach John Williams has seen it.

“That’s a weak call in front of the net with under a minute to play,” he said. “It’s unfortunate anyone has to lose a game like that.”

Or win one like that? Hardly. The Apaches didn’t feel the victory had been handed to them.

“This is my fourth time in the finals, and I’d never won,” said Arcadia Coach Chuck Witkofsky. “I’ll take it. I even would have settled for a tie.”

Before the final minute, it looked as if they might have to. Canyon, Century League champion (25-3), took a 1-0 lead one minute into the second half off senior forward Kim Campbell’s goal, her 35th of the season. As Campbell approached the goal box, one defender stood in her way, but Campbell was a step ahead and the ball sailed past goalkeeper Cathy Zoccoli.

Arcadia, Pacific League champion (27-1-2), had only trailed in one game all season, a loss to Palos Verdes Peninsula, but the Apaches were confident they could come back.

“We kept telling everyone not to panic, there was plenty of time left,” Kennedy said.

With a little under 10 minutes in regulation, freshman Corrine Roberge found some room on the left side of the goal. Thompson was in good position and stretched as high as she could, but the ball was out of reach.

“We have nothing to be ashamed of, it was a good game,” said Thompson. “I don’t think there was anything else we could have done to win. That’s how I want it to be. I want to walk off thinking there’s nothing else we could have done.”