BOYS SOCCER - SCISA CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Cardinals lose heartbreaker to Panthers
Photos and Story
By Mike Maddock
Mike@TheColumbiaStar.com

Cardinal Newman's Giacomo Ray (20) and Zach Hrovat head the ball away from Cardinal territory. Ryan Sherlock (10) and Gaberiel Roldan (16) are also pictured.

Looks can be deceiving.

It looks like the Pinewood Prep Panthers coasted to their fourth consecutive SCISA 3A state championship at Porter Gaud School in Charleston May 12 defeating the Cardinal Newman Cardinals 3- 1.

But it also looked like Mike Beaudoin and David Allen scored goals for the Cardinals in the 53rd and 57th minute respectively, which could have changed the entire complexion of the match.

Beaudoin headed a loose ball into the net, but a Cardinal was ruled offsides, and the goal did not count. Four minutes later, Allen blasted a free kick from about 30 yards that hit high on the left post and bounced into the back of the net. Pinewood goalie J.D. Spearman temporarily injured himself trying to stop the shot. Officials ruled the kick was supposed to be indirect - meaning another player (on either team) had to touch the ball before a goal could be scored. They ruled the ball had not been touched, and the goal was disallowed.

Cardinal Newman seniors David Allen (7) and Eddie Maracich (3) accept the second place trophy. Allen scored Cardinal Newman's goal and also appeared to score another that was waived off by officials.

The Panthers struck first in the 28th minute with a Ben Reidmayer goal off a corner kick. Then five minutes later Reidmayer punched in a penalty kick to put the Panthers up 2- 0.

The Cardinals outshot Pinewood Prep 9- 5 in a second half riddled with seven yellow cards and three penalty kicks. Allen closed the Cardinals to within one with another free kick from about 30 yards four minutes after his other apparent score was disallowed. The Panthers extended their lead when J.D. Spearman scored on a penalty kick in the 76th minute. Allen got one more chance with a penalty kick of his own 33 seconds later, but his shot sailed left.

Cardinal Newman head coach Will Eudy said of his team's effort, "I can't say enough about Giacomo Ray, David Allen, Eddie Maracich, Ryan Sherlock, and Brian Elfring. They are my seniors who have led this team to an incredible ride, which includes a region championship and state championship appearance, and 21- 3 is unbelievable. That's just a hell of a season.

"They won't see that right now, because it hurts, but when they look back on it, it's something they can hang their hats on."

Pinewood Prep: Goals: Ben Reidmayer (2), J.D Spearman; Shots: 16; Saves: Spearman (5).

Cardinal Newman: Goals: David Allen; Shots: 14; Saves: Brian Elfring (2).