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Cardiac Kids Strike Again!
Seahorses goal in extra time breaks Fusion's heart for second time in eight days
VENTURA, Calif. (July 15, 2007)—The Southern California Seahorses fell behind with three minutes to go, but scored in the 90th minute to gain a 3-3 tie with the Ventura County Fusion in a USL Premier Development League soccer match Sunday at Buena High School.
Forward Conan Hawkins hustled to pick up a loose ball deep in Fusion territory and blasted a shot past goalkeeper Bryan Hill from about 12 yards. The goal prevented the Fusion (9-4-2) from staying within a point of first place in the PDL’s 10-team Southwest Division with one game remaining. Instead, the Fusion must win its final match to tie for the regular-season title with the San Fernando Valley Quakes. A head-to-head tiebreaker would award the Fusion the division's No. 1 spot for the PDL playoffs.
It was the second time in eight days that the Seahorses (4-6-4) deflated the Fusion with a goal in the final minute. On July 6 at the Seahorses’ home field, forward Ben Page scored in the extra time to give the Seahorses a 1-0 victory. On Sunday, Hawkins’ game-tying goal came after the Fusion rallied to take control of the match.
The Seahorses led, 2-1, after Nick Gabaldon’s second goal of the match came in the 60th minute on a penalty kick. The Fusion then scored twice down the stretch—in the 79th and 87th minutes—to pull into the lead. Forward Mark Draycott scored two of the Fusion’s goals.
Gabaldon had given the Seahorses an early 1-0 lead on a goal in the 30th minute, assisted by Jordan Arias. Draycott tied it in the 40th minute.
The Seahorses finish their season with two home matches: Wednesday against the Orange County Blue Star and Saturday against the Bakersfield Brigade. Both matches are at 7 p.m. at La Mirada High School. If they win both matches, the Seahorses could finish as high as fifth place.
The Southern California Seahorses play in the USL Premier Development League, the only national league giving elite amateur players a professional experience within United Soccer Leagues while retaining their amateur status. Founded in 1983 as a club, the Seahorses have traveled to more than 30 countries. They draw many of their players from local colleges, clubs and international soccer programs.
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