There is something amazing about lower-division soccer in America.
Both teams had their chances.
And their missed opportunities.
With ten minutes left, Academica took the lead off a brilliant goal from Coby Golbad. He sprinted to the goal line to celebrate with the home fans.
An El Farolito player, believing a teammate was being taunted by an Academica player, ran over to defend him. For a few minutes, the players of both teams were pushing each other back and forth until coaches, and other officials pulled the teams apart.
From there, the players received their trophy...
...and hoisted it into the air.
And celebrated with drinking out of the trophy.
It was an incredible game and experience.
Over the weekend, I covered the NPSL Golden Gate Division final between Academica of Turlock and El Farolito of San Francisco.
The past few years, these teams have consistently been the top two clubs in the league, and when they were facing off in a final, you just knew that it would be an amazing game to experience.
We drove from the Bay Area to Turlock, deep in the Central Valley, to watch the game and cover it for SoccerBayArea.com. At kickoff, it was still a sweltering 100 degrees, and the quality of the action of the field was just as hot.
It was a back-and-forth affair.
And their missed opportunities.With ten minutes left, Academica took the lead off a brilliant goal from Coby Golbad. He sprinted to the goal line to celebrate with the home fans.He added an insurance strike with a few minutes to spare.
After the game, the emotions boiled over.
An El Farolito player, believing a teammate was being taunted by an Academica player, ran over to defend him. For a few minutes, the players of both teams were pushing each other back and forth until coaches, and other officials pulled the teams apart.
And celebrated with drinking out of the trophy.
You can read the full game report on SoccerBayArea.com.
