Islanders Boys Varsity Soccer Suffer 3-2 Controversial Loss

The Middletown High School Islander Boys' Soccer team came out storming in the first half, scoring two early goals within the first twelve minutes to go up 2-0 on Toll Gate.  The Islanders' first goal was scored by Alex Burgess at the eighth minute to start the match, with an assist by Shane Murphy.  Another goal added minutes later by John Barruetabena with Jeremy Frank on the assist put the Islanders in a great position to pick up their first win of the season. 

The entire night the Islanders had pressure on goal but Toll Gate tightened up on defense and scored their first goal at the 35th minute of the first half to cut the lead to 2-1. Then, within the first minute of the second half, Toll Gate struck again to tie the score. 

As the match unfolded, the Islanders controlled the game, putting on pressure for the rest of regulation. Two corner kicks in the last ten minutes gave the team a chance to take the lead, but Toll Gate's defense did not break.

Controversy set in with one minute to go. Toll Gate had a throw right in at the corner kick area. As the ball made it to the goal, it bounced in front of Islanders' Goalie Garmand Rugel and--to the many fans in the stands--it seemed to bounce over his head without him touching it into the goal.  Rules state this is not a goal if a player from either team does not touch or pass the ball after a throw in.  However the closest referee called the goal, while the other referee--who was 25 yards away--informed Islanders Coach Luis Oliveira that Rugel tipped the ball. 

The crowd was irrate, to say the least, and the Islanders remain without a win for the season. The Islanders are now 0-3-1 on the season and hope to edge their first win against Prout on Sept. 22.

The Islanders' season still shows promise. After losing 11 players from graduation and military transfers, the soccer team is still playing well as a team and building a strong backline on defense lead by Captain Daniel Murphy.

Total Shots on Goal:

Islanders, 9

Toll Gate, 10

Next Game:

Sept. 22, 2010 at Prout.