By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
Nick Bundy and Bladimir Romero had dizzying goals, while Steven Worsley came up huge in the net as the Washington Pam Pack held off White Oak, 3-2, in Thursday’s Coastal Conference match.
The win by Washington (7-4, 3-1) over the Vikings (6-5, 3-1) sets the soccer team up for a possible home playoff game.
“This was a very big win for us,” Washington coach Jimmy Kozuch said. “I think it will build our confidence for the next few weeks.”
Washington gained a little revenge on the Vikings in Thursday’s win, coming on a steamy night at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium. The Vikings knocked the Pack out of the playoffs last year.
“This is one of our biggest (wins),” said Worsley, who had a number of spectacular saves in goal. “They beat us last year in the playoffs, so this was a big game all around. For us to play that close and win is really huge.”
Bundy knocked in the game winner with just over 11 minutes to play. Coming on a corner kick, Bundy jumped high and got his head on the ball, driving it past the White Oak keeper.
“It was crazy,” Bundy said. “I just went for it and knew I had to get it.
“I knew everybody would be really pumped up then and ready to go.”
Kozuch was proud of the play.
“Nick stepped up and beat everybody in the air and buried one in the back of the net,” Kozuch said. “It was big.”
The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime, with Romero notching the Pack’s goal.
Romero came up big again early in the second half, launching a perfect shot from 35 yards out that beat the goalie.
“It was phenomenal,” Kozuch said. “That’s one of the best goals I’ve ever seen.”
White Oak tied it at 2-2 with 28 minutes to play, but Bundy gave Washington the lead for good 17 minutes later.
The Vikings had a couple chances to tie it late in the game, but Worsley had a diving save with two minutes to play, then stopped a corner kick moments later.
“I was just using my instincts,” Worsley said. “I was just trying to do what I could to help the team win.”
Kozuch said his senior keeper came up big in the clutch.
“Steven came up really big,” Kozuch said. “We kind of fell into a defensive shell and put a lot of pressure on Steven, but he rose to the challenge and made great saves.”
The Pack plays host to D.H. Conley on Tuesday.