Last-minute goal secures 4A boys soccer state title win for Washington - AZCentral

Last-minute goal secures 4A boys soccer state title win for Washington - AZCentral

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With his team tied with Phoenix Arcadia at 1-1, Phoenix Washington’s Melvin Salazar scored in the last minute of the AIA 4A boys soccer state championship sealing his redemption story and a 2-1 state title victory for the Rams at Williams Field High School.

“It's amazing,” Salazar said. “Actually, I really wanted to win it for coach (Adam Roberts) because we had some problems and I had some problems myself and then I got kicked off the team but I asked him to give … a second chance and I told him that I would pay him back and this was this was all for coach.”

The first half began with both teams going back and forth and each team having numerous scoring opportunities. As the half went on, it appeared Washington was dominating the time of possession.

However, Arcadia’s Antonio Clark found the back of the net at the 25:07 mark to put the Titans up 1-0.

The half continued with more opportunities for Washington but Arcadia’s defense stayed strong. The Titans made some ridiculous stops and led the Rams 1-0 at the half.

In the second half, Washington’s strong offensive attack was finally able to break through. At the 34:57 mark, Cesar Morquecho scored to tie the game at 1-1.

With just under 25 minutes to go in the second half, Washington had a quality chance but Arcadia goal keeper Benjamin Dorsett made a great save to send the shot over the goal and keep the score 1-1.

With around 12 minutes to play, Arcadia had the ball in front of an empty net but failed to score due to its players not being there in time and the ball rolling out of scoring range.

Just a few minutes later, the Rams had a hard shot on goal but Dorsett came up big again. Throughout the remainder of the half, Washington had numerous opportunities but continued to just miss the net.

This changed with just over 34 seconds on the clock. Washington was given a free kick opportunity and Salazar stepped up to the plate and kicked in the game winner into the upper right-hand corner of the goal to seal the state title victory.

Bedlam! With about 34 seconds to play Washington scores. Win 4A Boys state title 2-1. @azc_preps, @azcsportspic.twitter.com/KLyrhs2i1S

— Jesse Morrison (@Jesse_Morrison6) February 26, 2020

“…I can tell you that that young man is a very special young man,” Roberts said. "He’s struggled and we’ve worked really hard with him and I’m so proud of the progress he made."

With the game being played on a school night, there is not much time to celebrate the championship. Morquecho said the plan to celebrate is just to “go back to school, study.”

2020-02-26 07:05:00Z
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/02/26/last-minute-goal-secures-4-a-boys-soccer-state-title-win-washington/4878267002/

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