Protested soccer game decision

Outcome on an Oct. 1 protest filed by Springfield coach Paul Kendall with the MVL executive committee that stated because the Cosmos didn’t get a chance to re-kick a penalty shot, they "lost their opportunity to win the game."


http://www.benningtonbanner.com/sports/ci_19109526

Protested game affects MAU soccer
Posted: 10/13/2011 11:15:37 PM EDT

Thursday October 13, 2011

ADAM SAMROV

Sports Editor Bennington Banner

BENNINGTON -- An official’s mistake on the soccer pitch has cost the Mount Anthony Union High School boys soccer team one of its victories and two points in the state rankings.

"Instead of being 8-4, we’re 7-4-1," said MAU coach Mike Molloy on Wednesday. "If we lose a home playoff game because of that, it would be bad for the kids. It’s an unfortunate situation."

The game in question was MAU’s Marble Valley League matchup at Springfield on Sept. 30.

The teams were tied 0-0 with 8:29 remaining in the second overtime, when Springfield was awarded a penalty kick. The player scored, but the referee blew the play dead, saying the player did not run "straight" onto the ball, violating Rule 14-1, Article 4 of the National Federation of High School guidelines.

As a result, Mount Anthony was awarded a direct kick instead of Springfield being allowed to re-take the penalty, as Rule 14.1 states. MAU then scored with 50 seconds left to win the game.

One day later, on Oct. 1, Springfield coach Paul Kendall filed a protest with the MVL executive committee saying that because the Cosmos didn’t get a chance to re-kick the penalty shot, they "lost their opportunity to win the game."

The MVL rulebook states that "[A]ny complaint or protest on a league game must be made in writing and sent to the president of the league within two days
after the game."

The MVL committee held a conference call on Oct. 3 to discuss Springfield’s protest. They decided, at first, since the two schools would meet again on Oct. 18 at MAU, the teams would pick up the game at the time of the penalty kick, and the Cosmos would get a second chance at the PK.

However, after talks between Molloy, Kendall, and the schools’ athletic directors, it was decided to rule the game a 0-0 tie, a compromise agreed to by all parties. MAU earns three points for an away tie, while Springfield gets two for a home tie.

As of Thursday morning, Mount Anthony was ranked seventh with 34 index points (averaging 2.833). The points for a win would have given the Patriots 36 (average of 3.000), tying them for fourth with St. Johnsbury, Colchester and Essex.

But MAU athletic director Tim Brown said the points weren’t a major concern.

"A team has a 14-game season to determine its fate, in the bigger picture, it doesn’t come down to one game or one play," Brown said.

On Monday, via email from MVL commitee president Bob Hingston, the committee agreed to the compromise of ruling the game a tie. The Vermont Principals’ Association didn’t make any ruling in the decision, saying it was a conference issue.

In an appeal letter to the MVL committee on Oct. 5, Brown advised the committee of the teams’ compromise, but also how the decision of a "do-over" could affect later protests in the MVL.

"This sets a precedent," Brown said. "The interpretation of the rule gives a team two days, but the protest should be lodged at the point of concern. It’s the coaches’ responsibility to know the rules.