There are just some games you need to witness in person to believe.
Such was the case in the Class 6A boys soccer state championship on Saturday as Wichita Northwest defeated Olathe South 1-0 to claim their first title since 1995.
In every sense, the game had the feel of a heavyweight boxing match. Each side traded punches back and forth in the first forty minutes with neither side cashing in.
The second half mirrored the first with each team getting tremendous opportunities to score but simply could not finish. Here is where the game gets interesting…really interesting.
With five seconds to play in the game Northwest was granted a corner kick, the ball was kicked right in the middle of the Olathe South goal where a flurry of players went for it. The ball appeared to be headed into the net for a last second dramatic goal for Northwest when an Olathe South player reached out and touched the ball with his hand.
The officials ruled a hand ball in the box which not only brought out a red card, but also gave Northwest a penalty kick with two seconds left in regulation.
“There was no doubt…I knew exactly who I wanted to take that kick”, Northwest head coach Bobby Bribiesca said.
That player turned out to be midfielder David Lucio. The senior lined up the kick several times before pausing just for a second.
“I was aiming for the right side of the goal,” Lucio said.
After a couple of steps Lucio kicked the ball off the crossbar before the ball ricocheted into the net for the golden goal. Time expired as the Northwest fans stormed the field to celebrate the 1-0 win and the Class 6A State Championship crown.
The win capped off a perfect 21-0 season for Wichita Northwest.
“It’s been a long time…but it’s a sweet win,” Bribiesca said following the win.
Like every kid, Lucio dreamed of the chance to win the state championship for his school. However, he says in his memory the ball hit the crossbar, but instead of going in, the ball actually missed the net. Lucio was glad his memory was different from reality.
“I’m getting a little emotional right now…words can’t describe this,” Lucio said.
Wasburn Rural took home the third place title with a 1-0 win over Blue Valley Northwest.
