Edgar Melik-Stepanyan
They might get an at-large berth in the CIF Southern Section Division
V playoffs, but with a chance to control their postseason destiny,
the members of the Flintridge Prep boys' soccer team had a short
lapse that might prove to be detrimental down the line.
The Rebels allowed two goals in less than 30 seconds Friday,
losing to visiting Claremont Webb, 2-1, in their final Prep League
match.
"We let down for one minute," Rebel Coach Stephen Oderkirk said.
"They played real hard and we were flat-footed.
*--*
BOX SCORE
*--*
*--*
Claremont Webb 0 2 -- 2
Flintridge Prep 0 1 -- 1
*--*
*--*
CLAREMONT WEBB
Oakley (Bleick, 63rd minute), Bleick (Habos, 63rd minute). * Saves: Waddell 9. * Cards: Zimbroff (yellow, 45th minute), Oakley (yellow, 71st minute).
FLINTRIDGE PREP
Li (43rd minute). * Saves: Maher 4. * Cards: Li (yellow, 28th minute).
*--*
"That's soccer. You can outplay a team and still lose. It's a
cruel mistress. It was all mental."
Flintridge Prep (8-5-4, 2-2-2 in league) needs the Gauls (7-6-1,
2-2-1) to lose to the league's last-place team, Rancho Palos Verdes
Chadwick, on Thursday in order to secure second place in the
four-team league.
If Webb defeats Chadwick for the second time this season, the
Rebels will have to petition for an at-large bid.
None of that would have been necessary if Flintridge Prep had
repelled Webb's spurt in the 63rd minute.
Gaul Chris Oakley tied the score at 1, and seconds later, the
senior stole the ball and found Bart Bleick for the winning score.
Eddie Li gave Flintridge Prep -- which had 24 shots, including 10
on goal -- a 1-0 lead in the 43rd minute.
