Saffle Lifts Skyline Over Timberline, 13-12 in OT

Saffle Lifts Skyline Over Timberline, 13-12 in OT

ISLANDER MIDDLE SCHOOL- As the spring sun faded a terrential downpour followed as the Skyline Spartans and Timberline Wolves took to the field.  This game would go down as a battle on a slip and slide.  Both teams played slow, getting used to each other's styles, absent from the Skyline line-up was midifelder Jack Pruitt and attackman Brennan West.  Attackman Max Saffle was moved to midfield to compensate for the loss.  Timberline's strength was their quick and shifty offense that posed match-up difficulties for the Spartans on defense.  The downpour did not let up as boht teams had difficulty shooting and passing.  Timberline pushed the Spartans to a tie at six at halftime.  During the second half, play became chippy and more intense.  Frustrations from both teams led to penalites.  In a spectacular play Skyline's Andrew Hankey circled the crease with the ball, went airborne and scored one-handed.  However, the goal was disavowed due to a crease violation.  Timberline showed some great one-on-one play as they raced past Skyline defenders and kept the game close.  As the clock ticked away the score was neck and neck.  Unassisted goals became the word as both teams used bulldodges to get goals.  The games was tied up at the end of regulation.  In overtime, Max Saffle took the ball himself and after a quick dodged, planted and ripped a zinger that stuck the top right giving Skyline the win 13-12 in OT.  Saffle led his team with four goals.     

Timberline head coach Tom Blanchard post-game thoughts