| Brandon Gagnon clears the ball out of traffic in an earlier game vs. North Sanpete. |
As in so many games this season, it came down to a single irretrievable moment. One shot that squeaked through when so many others had not. Carbon lost its final game to North Sanpete by the score of 1-0.
Two evenly matched teams took the field Wednesday afternoon. Carbon was playing for a region win to keep from being shutout this season. It was not to happen.
The Dinos dominated possession most of the game. They took more than 20 shots on goal, compared to 12 from the Hawks. But as they have faced in so many games, it is what penetrates the net that counts.
In the first half North Sanpete was able to get a single shot past goalie Jake Malone. Coach Patrick Clifford felt like there was a Hawk clearly off-sides, but a no-call from the referee let the score stand. Ironically, the Dinos punched two through, but both were called back on off-sides calls by the referee.
“We could have and should have won, but it didn’t happen. In soccer, one team can statistically out play the other and not get the win. That is what happened to us,” explained Clifford.
“I do want to say that I am very proud of our boys played. They deserved to win, but didn’t,” he went on to say. “We played a lot better than last year. It was a team effort and they showed very unselfish play. That is what makes a great team.”
The performance of players like Fernando Mendoza, Travis Hobbs, Scott Potter and Beau Morley set the tone. Jose Munoz’s accuracy with his kicking and Sam Madrid’s ability to play at any position Clifford needed him to added depth to the squad. Brandon Gagnon was a cornerstone in the Dino defense as well as the solid play of Jake Malone at goalie.
Clifford commented that it was hard to leave any player out of being mentioned for the effort they gave this year and that everyone gave it their all.
The team has one more chance to play as they head to Cedar City to take on Cedar in the first round of the play-offs. It is a win or go home game. Clifford said that several other coaches have told him that his squad has the skills to beat Cedar City, but defense will be the key to getting the win.”
First round action will be at 4 p.m. on Wednesday April 30 in Cedar City.