Klamath Union boys soccer fought hard but fell in a nail-biter after Phoenix scored with 5:08 left in the second half to win the Skyline Conference matchup on Modoc Field Thursday night, 1-0.
The Pelicans held their ground before the Pirates' lone goal came after a direct kick. Phoenix midfielder, Hector Ramos, kicked the ball from the right side of the field, which traveled into the box and grazed the hands of Klamath Union goalkeeper, Emanuel Garcia, but slipped out of his hands, giving opportunity for Khaile Borland to tip in the goal for the Pirates.
Klamath Union senior forward, Jose Garcia, had one of the Pelicans' best chances to score with the game winding down when he was left alone after a crafty pass came to him.
With 8:56 left, off a pass from teammate, Luis Garcia, Jose Garcia rushed up the middle of the field and broke free of two Phoenix defenders. One-on-one with Phoenix goalie, Rafael Gamez, Garcia's shot was deflected by Gamez, who pushed Garcia to the floor with his right shoulder, taking away the hope of the Pelicans having their first score.
Last glimmer of hope
The Pelicans had their chances after the Pirates' goal, including a near score when Dallin Petersen had a shot just graze the left goal post with three minutes left.
Petersen's shot trailed far out of bounds. Gamez was warned by one of the game's referees after he took too much time to bring the soccer ball back into play, which sparked Phoenix defender, Cielo Vargas, to chatter, giving him a yellow card before his words earned him a red card.
Klamath Union had the advantage as the Pirates were down a player with the result of the red card with 2:41 left.
With seconds left on the clock, another yellow card was given after a slide tackle knocked down Klamath Union's Carlos Garcia. The yellow card gave the Pels a direct kick with 21 seconds left.
The significant direct kick came from Klamath Union midfielder, Luca Manzano Rodriguez, but no Pelican could secure the ball as Phoenix player, Juan Vargas, kicked the ball far out of bounds.
Bryce Petersen retrieved the ball as Klamath Union's last gasp came off a corner kick with three seconds remaining but a Phoenix player was alert, heading the ball away to end the contest.
