They were mere seconds away from seeing their 13-game undefeated streak vanish, at the hands of rival University, no less. But the Palisades High boys’ soccer team refused to let that happen. Staring at a 4-3 deficit deep into stoppage time, the Dolphins rushed to set up one last throw-in from defender David Joy, about 25 yards out on the right sideline. The ball fired into the box and Pali striker Steve Diaz shook free from his defender and buried the throw into the back of the net, dramatically scoring on the game’s last play. The referee blew the final whistle amidst the Dolphins celebration’and the unbeaten season stayed intact with a wild 4-4 draw on January 26. ’They outplayed us,’ Pali coach Dave Suarez said. ‘They wanted it more than we did and they went up two goals early. But one of the great things about our team is they won’t give up.’ That resolve was certainly on display with Diaz’s goal, as it came moments after the tie-breaking stoppage time goal by Uni’s Yoni Garcia that initially appeared to be the game-winner. Following a questionable foul call, Uni had lined up a free kick from just inside midfield on the left wing. Midfielder Chris Vasconcelos lofted a soaring effort that floated to the right side of the seven-yard box. Garcia charged in, out of nowhere and unmarked, calmly finishing with the go-ahead header to make it 4-3 and cue a Wildcats celebration. Going into the game, Pali was 5-0-2 in league, while Uni sported a 5-1-1 record, its only loss coming at the hands of the Dolphins on December 10’a 3-1 Pali win marked by hostility and a handful of yellow and red cards for both sides. Minutes into last Wednesday’s rematch, Garcia and midfielder Jason Rustrian scored back-to-back goals to give Uni an early 2-0 cushion. But the Dolphins wasted no time responding. Senior Alex Anastasi clawed his way to the front of the goal and hammered home a rebound off the goalpost to cut the lead in half, 2-1. Ten minutes later, Rustrian struck back with a beautiful chip from the right of the box that sailed over Pali keeper Brandon Newman and into the far side of the net. On the ensuing kickoff, Diaz weaved his way through the Uni defensive-line and let fire a seething strike, keeping it 3-2 at the end of the first half. All and all, it was a chaotic half for the Dolphins, made no easier by the large dirt patches and bumpy, uneven Uni field that Pali took time adjusting to. ’We didn’t do what we needed to do early,’ Suarez said. ‘We couldn’t play ball-control style like we’re used to. Even if you make the right pass, it’s so bumpy, trying to get possession is tough.’ But the Dolphins certainly came out more focused in the second half. They didn’t concede a goal outside of stoppage time’Newman had seven saves in all’and Kevin Strangeway’s header off a delicate cross from Diaz evened the score at 3-3 and set up the tense ending. And though it had to settle for a tie, Pali exited their rival’s field satisfied with the hard-earned point. ’We’ll take a tie,’ Joy said. ‘We’re still undefeated. And that’s what counts.’ Two days later on January 28, Pali notched its 10th win of the season, a 2-0 home victory over LACES. Senior Nathan Cutler had a goal and an assist and junior Kyle Warner also scored to keep the Unicorns winless in Western League play. The Dolphins play at home against Venice on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
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