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Time clock troubles and a controversial call in the final four seconds of the NCS Lacrosse Championship brought the Mustangs to the end of their season Saturday. Top-seeded Monte Vista lost to No. 3-seeded De La Salle, 8-7.
The Mustangs (18-5) defeated De La Salle earlier in the season and in every game since 2003, including last year’s championship game and the previous year’s semifinals. Saturday it looked like they might clinch the title again.
With less than a minute to play, Monte Vista senior Bryson Woodbury scored two goals less than 12 seconds apart cutting the Spartans’ 8-5 lead to 8-7 with 23.8 seconds left.
The Mustangs took possession with less than four seconds on the clock, which failed to start as they began their rush to the net. Zakk Souza scored the apparent tying goal with less than a second showing, but the referees waived off the goal and ordered 3.2 seconds put back on the clock.
When Monte Vista started its next charge, though, the clock read 40 seconds, and play had to be stopped again. Finally with the clock issues were sorted out, the Mustangs made a final run. Bret Oliveira missed a last-second shot wide settling the Spartans win.
Monte Vista coach Mike Emerson was reporting as saying he was upset with the referees and hated to see the game end like that.
Monte Vista beat Piedmont 5-3 in the semifinals to advance to the title game. De La Salle advanced to the finals after a 5-1 win over No. 2-seed San Ramon Valley.
In other lacrosse news, several Monte Vista players were named 2007 EBAL All-League players. Kyle Donovan and Ben Wang were honored on first team defense. Ryan Terada was named to first team (utility) Long Stick Mid-Field. Brian Woodburry, attacker, and Dylan Westfall, goalie, were named all league second-team. Matt Hartman, Aran Canton, Ross Kitchin and Matt Silva were awarded honorable mentions.
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Patrick Wilhelmy, No. 26 for De La Salle High School, who lives in Diablo, battles it out with Monte Vista’s Matt Kim, No. 11, in the NCS championship game Saturday, which De La Salle won, 8-7, in a confusing last few seconds of play. Photo by Chris Scott -
Nothing quite as exciting as a lacrosse game, say these young fans. Photo by Chris Scott/www.calsportsphoto.com
