Free-kick goal in 80th minute ends Demons’ season in quarters

Sometimes wanting it the most isn't enough to get a win.
    "This team wanted it more than any team we've had here," said Dodge City High School Red Demon soccer coach Virgil Hutchcraft after his team's stunning 2-1 loss in the state quarterfinals against Wichita Southeast. "To have it end like it did is hard for everyone."
    With less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation, officials called a foul against Dodge and a free kick for Southeast after midfielder Jordan Saybounkham got caught between two Dodge defenders when going up for a ball. The ball was given to Southeast in the middle of the field, just outside Dodge City's box.
    "They took it quick, while we were still discussing the call with officials," Hutchcraft said. "We weren't ready."
    The goal went in for the Buffaloes, and the Demons' season crashed to a halt. They finished 2008 with a 12-6 record.
    After the Demons fell behind 1-0 on a Buffalo goal in the 33rd minute, Fabian Sanchez caught a deflection off of the Buff defense and tied the score at one just seconds before halftime.
    "Fabian's been good for a shot every game for us," said Hutchcraft of his senior. "And lately that's been meaning a goal about every other game."
    The windy match was suddenly turned in Dodge's favor. The Demons took the headwind with the beginning of the second half and outshot the Buffaloes in the match.
    "I thought being able to tie it going against the wind in the first half gave us some momentum and confidence," Hutchcraft said.
    But his team took some ill-advised shots from too far away in the second half and failed to cash in on that momentum or the wind advantage.
    "We started settling for shots that we normally don't," Hutchcraft said. "And then we get that call — it was hard."
    Despite the loss, the coach couldn't say enough about the team and the leadership of its seniors.
    "You couldn't ask for a better bunch of guys," Hutchcraft said. "Adrian (Alvarez) had been dominant in the center all season. Andrew (De La Torre) I think really stepped up for us toward the end of the season as well."
    Southeast will face the winner of Tuesday's Maize/Manhattan game Friday in the state semifinals in Topeka. The results of that game were not available at press time.