It’s Official: Soccer Protest by Quartz Hill Boys Is Upheld

In a rare move, principals from five Golden League high schools have voted to require a boys’ soccer match between Quartz Hill and Highland be replayed.

Quartz Hill’s protest of a 2-0 loss to Highland on Jan. 9 was upheld because of what league administrators said were mistakes by the official in charge.

It would have been Quartz Hill’s first league defeat at home in three years.

No date was set for the rematch.

Karen Hellyer of the Southern Section said she did not recall a match being replayed in her 12 years as a soccer administrator.

Quartz Hill Coach Mike Kuper protested the match with the support of Larry Leifried, instructional chairman of the Mojave Desert Officials Assn.

Leifried said the head official, whom he declined to name, admitted he made “a couple of bad calls.” Leifried said the official will not be disciplined.

The first of two disputed plays occurred in a scoreless first half. Quartz Hill was allowed a direct kick instead of what should have been a penalty shot.

In the second half, with the match still tied, Quartz Hill claimed Highland scored after the official blew his whistle to halt play.

Adjusted league standings show Palmdale (4-1) in the lead, followed by Quartz Hill (3-1), Highland (2-1-1), Ridgecrest Burroughs (2-1-1), Antelope Valley (0-3-1) and Littlerock (0-4-1).