By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
Facing a tough D.H. Conley squad at home, the Washington soccer team knew Tuesday’s game would be a tough one from the start. However, the Pam Pack left its “A” game in the locker room as it fell 2-1 to the Vikings in a Coastal Conference showdown.
Washington coach Jimmy Kozuch said his team did not come out ready to play a big game.
“We just didn’t play soccer the way we have been playing,” Kozuch said. “There was no communication, there was a lack of effort. Our guys just didn’t get up for the game.”
Jacksonville, one of the top teams in the state, sits atop of the conference, but the rest of the league is fighting for second place. Tuesday’ nights loss to D.H. Conley made the race for second a little tighter.
“If we would have won, we would have been clear cut in second place,” Kozuch said. “Now things are a little more wide open.”
The Vikings were really excited about second place as they celebrated in an over the top fashion by dousing their coach with a Gatorade shower, a move that is usually reserved for a playoff win.
Early in the game it was the Pam Pack that got to celebrate as Edwin Garcia booted the ball into the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game.
“There was a great cross, and he just hit a good shot,” Kozuch said of the goal.
The Vikings answered back with 14 minutes left in the half to tie the score at 1-1.
Washington appeared to recapture the lead a few minutes later when Bladimir Romero scorched a left-footed shot past the keeper for 10-feet out. However, the goal was negated because Washington was off-sides.
Pam Pack goalie Steven Worsley helped keep it a 1-1 game with a leaping swat of a D.H. Conley shot that would have hit the top, right portion of the net. Instead, the two teams went into the break tied at 1-1.
After halftime, Conley was able to sneak one past Worsley to take a 2-1 advantage less then 10 minutes into the half. The score would stay that way as the Vikings defense kept the Pack attack in check.
While Kozuch said he was disappointed with the team’s effort and execution, he also said that he expects his team to rebound and right the ship.
“This season is their’s to win and their’s to lose,” Kozuch said. “We definitely have the players to make a run this year, but it’s going to be all up to them. If they want it, they’ll get it. Hopefully tomorrow we will have a good practice, then we can go to South Central on Thursday night and take it to them.”