Publication Date: Wednesday, February 02, 2005
PREP SOCCER
Paly, Gunn boys play to a tie
Paly, Gunn boys play to a tie
(February 02, 2005) Both teams still have a shot at winning De Anza Division title
by Keith Peters
It wasn't a loss, but the Gunn High boys' soccer team nonetheless let a golden opportunity slip away in a 1-1 deadlock with visiting Palo Alto on Monday.
Had the Titans won, they could have wrapped up the SCVAL De Anza Division title by beating host Lynbrook (Wednesday) and visiting Santa Clara (Friday) before even playing at Palo Alto next Monday.
Now, all that has changed.
"We've given Paly fuel for the fire for them to strive for a league title," said Gunn coach David Burgee. "I fear we have opened the door for them. Now, they have some hope. They can at least tie for the league title."
More than that, the Vikings can win it outright.
Gunn still leads the division at 7-0-2 (16-1-3 overall) with 23 points while Palo Alto remains in second at 6-1-1 (10-3-3) with 19 points. Should the Titans win their next two, they'll have 29 points. Should the Vikings win their final four, they'll finish with 31 points and the league championship.
If Paly wins three of the four and ties Gunn next Monday, the rivals could both finish with 29 points and share the title.
A lot still can happen in the next week, but both teams control their own destiny in this exciting race.
"If we can beat them the next time, we have a chance," said Paly coach Don Briggs.
The Vikings, however, likely will finish out the regular season without senior midfielder David White, who suffered a leg injury in the second half and had to be helped off the field. Briggs feared it could as serious as a broken bone.
Gunn also will finish the regular season without a starter, senior midfielder Anton Horwath. He suffered torn ligaments and muscle in his right elbow during a snowboarding accident and could miss the postseason, as well.
The Titans looked like they had Monday's match in the bag when junior Russell Wynne knocked in a header off a corner midway through the second half. That seems to spark the Vikings, who charged back to tie when senior midfielder Ben Flamm ripped a shot past Gunn keeper Brian Weinstein, who earlier had made some sensational stops -as did Vikings' goalie Billy Brown.
Girls
Palo Alto looked all but dead heading into its De Anza Division makeup match Monday at first-place Los Gatos. The Vikings were without senior starters Lindsey Stirrat (torn ACL), Austinn Freeman (possible torn MCL) and Lisa Johnson (personal trip).
Paly, however, came up with a staunch defense and settled for a 0-0 deadlock with the Wildcats (6-0-4), who lead the division with 22 points with the Vikings (5-0-2, 10-1-5) second with 17.
Los Gatos has two matches left and could finish with a possible 28 points. Paly has four matches remaining and could wind up with 29 points and the league title.
In West Bay Athletic League action Monday, Castilleja (5-3, 7-5-1) got three goals from Punky Chun in a 5-0 romp at Woodside Priory.
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