Falcons, Lake Tahoe play 120 minutes before PK's determine a winner

With the #4 seed in northern California, the Falcons knew they would play at home for the first two rounds of playoffs - provided they win the first – but Mother Nature had different plans.  With the smoke from Butte County's Camp Fire pouring into the Sacramento Valley, first-round matches were delayed, moved, rescheduled, then moved and rescheduled again.  The Falcons finally found a place to play above the smoke (Union Mine High School in El Dorado) three days after their match was originally scheduled to have been played (November 20 instead of the 17^th).   Still, it did not feel like a home game for the Falcons.  For Lake Tahoe, seeded at #13 with a 12-7-2 record, the site change was welcome as it removed any home-field advantage the Falcons might have enjoyed. 

The Falcons struck first with a goal by Adam Ratto in the 17^th minute, assisted by Adrian Jiminez.  For a while, it appeared that one goal might hold up.  But in the second half, the Coyotes fought back, eventually finding the tying goal on a header with just 12 minutes left to play.  But neither team would score after that, forcing two 15-minute overtime periods to determine who would advance.  But again, neither team could get the game winner.  After 120 minutes of grueling play, the score remained knotted at one, meaning the teams would take turns shooting five penalty kicks each to determine the winner. 

After four rounds of PK's, the score stood at 3-3.  When Lake Tahoe missed their fifth shot, the door was open for the Falcons to win on the next shot.  Tanner Boyea stepped up, and as the goalie dove left, Boyea's shot went right.  Miraculously, the Coyote goalkeeper was able to flick the shot with his foot as he dove away from it, thereby saving the game for yet another round.  Two rounds later, the Coyotes found the net and the Falcons were stopped, ending their season as they were outscored in PK's, 5-4.  With the heartbreaking loss, the Falcons finished the season at 16-3-3 and scored 62 total goals while allowing just 15 goals in 22 games.  With 16 freshmen on the squad – 13 who saw considerable playing time -  the future also looks bright for FLC men's soccer.