Patriots left with bitter tie after overtime battle with the Totems
April 13, 2009
By Jim Feehan
Blake Kessler (21), Liberty sophomore midfielder, draws Sammamish sophomore goalkeeper Stuart Ellsworth out of the net to defend an attack in the first period of their April 10 soccer match. By Greg Farrar
Former Michigan State University football coach Hugh “Duffy” Daugherty is best known for his wit, good humor and wisdom. The genial coach is also famous for coining the phrase “a tie is like kissing your sister.”
Perhaps that sums up what the Liberty High School soccer team felt following its double-overtime 1-1 tie against Sammamish April 10.
Going into the closing minute of play, the Patriots clung to a 1-0 lead, thanks to a penalty kick goal by Dean Byron in the 64th minute.In the waning minutes of regulation time, Totems’ midfielder Joshuah Gray blasted a shot past the outstretched hands of Patriots’ goalkeeper Alex Woehlbrandt to tie the game.
Neither team scored during two five-minute overtime periods.
“We were hoping to win, being up 1-0 late, but they’re a good team,” said Liberty coach Darren Tremblay. “We know it was going to be a battle and that’s what it turned out to be.”
In the 30th minute, Woehlbrandt made a big save on a point-blank shot from 10 yards away by Sammamish forward Taylor Berg.
“Alex has come up big for us all year. Every game, he’s been key for us,” Tremblay said.
Coming into the match with the Totems, Woehlbrandt had four shutouts.
The match was scoreless at halftime, but both teams had scoring opportunities. Liberty midfielder Dakota McKay’s shot on goal in the 22nd minute missed the net. Sammamish defender Kevin Franklin’s shot on goal in the 19th minute missed wide right.
At the 77th minute, Liberty’s Byron received a yellow card from the head referee for reckless tackling. During the overtime period, Byron received a red card and was ejected from the match. Byron, the team’s captain, was barred from Liberty’s match at Bellevue April 14.
Tremblay said he didn’t receive an explanation from the official for the red card.
During the post game huddle, Tremblay told the team members to hold their heads high and that one point could make a difference come playoff time. Teams that win are awarded three points; a tie is worth one point in the league standings.
“A tie is better than a loss,” Tremblay said.
Eagles win twice
Issaquah, ranked sixth in a Class 4A state poll, posted two nonleague victories last week. The Eagles routed Chief Sealth 9-1 April 7 and topped Bainbridge, ranked 10th in the 3A state poll, 2-0 April 10.
In the victory against Chief Sealth, Kelby Lemons, Manuel Brugger and Andrew Schubert each scored two goals.
Michael Alexson and Lucas Morais tallied second half goals in Issaquah’s victory against Bainbridge.
Issaquah is 8-1 on the season, and 3-1 in 4A KingCo Conference action. The Eagles, tied with Eastlake for the Crest Division lead, host Eastlake at 7:30 p.m. this Friday.
Reach Reporter Jim Feehan at 392-6434, ext. 239, or jfeehan@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.issaquahpress.com.
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