By Staff
BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
The waiting game has now begun for the Washington soccer team. After Wednesday nights 2-1 loss to West Carteret in the season finale, the Pam Pack now has to hold its breathe as it waits to see if it will make the postseason.
The Pam Pack entered Wednesday’s game with its destiny in its own hands, as a win over the Patriots would have guaranteed Washington a playoff spot.
In order to extend its season now, the Pack need South Central to lose its season finale, or hope to make it in on a tie breaker.
The Pack put up a hard fight, but its efforts fell just short as the Patriots were able to muster one more goal than the home team.
The Pack gave a gutsy effort, as senior Archie Griffin helped inspire the squad by playing through some intense pain. Griffin suffered a cut under his chin during a collision on the field that required stitches, and was back on the field within 10 minutes.
Washington’s defense did a nice job for most of the night, but its two slip ups proved costly. The Patriots were able to take a 1-0 advantage early in the first half when the Pam Pack’s senior goalie Josh Carter ventured a little to far away from the goal and paid for it.
Sophomore Carlos Perez helped even the score at the 22:18 mark when he and John Howard ran the fast break to perfection. Howard streaked down the field with Perez on his flank, and as they got within 20 feet of the goal he delivered a perfect strike to his teammate who made it a 1-1 game.
Like in the first half, the Patriots scored early in the second half when it was able to punch the ball by Carter, who had trouble fighting through a cluster of players to try and save the ball.
From the point of both teams were just about equal in time of possession, but the Pack could not capitalize on its opportunities.
With under five minutes left in the game Kozuch order his defenders up and made one final push. Seniors Allen Hodges and Ryne Beddard each took quality shots on net, but were stymied by the Patriots’ goalie.
After the game Kozuch talked about the importance of his senior players.