Comments on: NCS Finals Preview

By: ManO'War

ManO'War — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:17:44 +0000

Possible hand balls usually are not, they are the ball hitting the hand, not someone trying to use their hands on the ball unfairly. Way too many hand balls are called, mainly because ‘intent’ is hard to judge presumably, but also because of the misunderstanding of the rules where every little nick draws a gasp and plea for a PK. (Otherwise, we should call the game ‘dodgeball’ because good players (like Rivas let’s say) can flick the ball up at an unsuspecting player and hit his arms/hands without too much difficulty – probably not a bad idea with some refs you get!)

By: Anon

Anon — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:51:24 +0000

Was the HR a bald guy with gray hair?

By: The Sweeper

The Sweeper — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:41:46 +0000

Ebal Fan #98,

There was in fact a situation late in the match (last 4 minutes?) in the DLS box where Rivas asked the official for a hand ball call. From my view I could not see the play clearly and no other Cal players made an animated protest, if you know what I mean.

Later, at least 3 others up top at the stadium said that they saw a possible hand ball, including a few independent witnesses (they asked me directly if I saw the hand ball). I did not see a hand ball.

That said, the head ref was on the spot and had a direct dialog with the Cal captain, but I do not know what the HR said to Cal#10.

It was probably a 50:50 call and the head ref chose not to make the call. I will say this, the HR did consistently consult with the ARs during the course of the match: as one would expect the best in class would.

By: bambam

bambam — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:14:47 +0000

Correction or addition

(Moar-Sweeney-Rogers-Howard-Talerman) These are seniors that are leaving that started every game. We had other senior players that contributed all year that will also be leaving.

More than anything else, I believe the coaching staff is the reason for the repeat.

Props to The Dublin Gaels for winning their 1st NCS title

By: bambam

bambam — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:57:10 +0000

I heard that the goal was on CAL High Sports. I will watch it and maybe I will be able to see a second time what actually happened on the Decosta free kick. Last night it looked like Rawls came up on it and got caught up in traffic getting back but that was live.

None the less Rawls kept them in the game and CAL wouldn’t have made it to the finals without him.

By: bambam

bambam — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:48:33 +0000

The season has ended for the high school soccer season. I was going to end my Bam Bam blogger career last night but I thought I would comment on a couple of todays post.

Rawls and Rogers each had good games last night and for the most part both teams were in the game because of them. Rawls misjudged the flight of Decosta’s free kick and was caught up in traffic or obstructed from getting back on it. I believe that it hit about 2 yds out and bounced to the back of the net. From that point Cal attacked in my opinion as the DLS played passive. CAL played with alot of heart from that point but if that goal doesn’t go in then I’m sure DLS would have kept on the offensive and who knows what would have happened. My opinion is that DLS would have stayed one step ahead of CAL because if you watched them all year then you would know that is how DLS played. They beat Foothill by one goal only in both games that they played each other.

MVP – There is no MVP award for the game, so that is not worth arguing about. DLS wins NCS with a solid team effort and CAL had a fantastic season too. Moar-Sweeney-Rogers-Howard-Talerman These are the only seniors leaving and they all had a great year and helped the team to go 4-0 in NCS while scoring 10 goals for and 1 against in the process.

I’ll tell you this, Rivas and Decosta will battle next year in EBAL. Rivas is magic and Decosta is as solid as they come on defense.

By: LakeTahoeGuy

LakeTahoeGuy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:42:21 +0000

FYI, All, Soccer season is not over, many of your favorite players will be playing next weekend on the Peninsula, (Palo Alto, Redwood City, etc.) with their “Club Teams”. Go MUSTANG!!!!!

By: LakeTahoeGuy

LakeTahoeGuy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:40:12 +0000

Thanks Matt, for the clarification.

By: Matt Smith

Matt Smith — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:38:13 +0000

The ball did end up out of bounds, and it was really close to already being out of bounds, but it look to me like the foul happened just in the field of play. I thought it should have been a free kick.

By: LakeTahoeGuy

LakeTahoeGuy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:35:58 +0000

Question? Matt, (or anyone else that was at the game), was there some question as to whether the DLS goal should have been the result of a free kick or a throw in? My sources say the ball went out of bounds, but the Ref awarded a free kick, instead of a throw in….
Apparently, the ball was already out of bounds when the Ref “decided” it was a free kick, as opposed to a throw in….
LTG