The Byrne Creek Bulldogs lost a heartbreaking 3-2 decision in an overtime shootout to the Handsworth Royals in B.C. high school zone senior boys’ soccer.
Played under heavy rains, Byrne Creek forced the shootout following a last-minute penalty kick by Rozmehr Aghabaygy in the second period of overtime at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex-West on Monday.
The Bulldogs led 2-0 at one stage of the second half following goals by Body Geoffrey and Edris Najm.
But Handsworth quickly answered, tying the game 2-2 with 10 minutes left to play in regulation time.
The North Shore runner-up scored first in the second overtime session.
In the shootout, Handsworth was successful on all five penalty attempts. Byrne missed its second shot at goal.
Bulldogs’ keeper Ziad Abonofal, who stepped in for the team’s injured goalie at the beginning of the season, made apologies for his play.
“I’m not a goalie,” said the converted midfielder. “But I had to play for (my teammates). It was pretty tough for me. I did my best. I missed my penalty and that’s why we lost. I’m pretty disappointed. But we didn’t give up. We scored in the last two minutes. Everything was good.”
The loss eliminated the Bulldogs from provincial high school championship qualifying.
“Coming from a small school in the middle of nowhere I feel with the players we had and no subs, we showed the will,” said Aghabaygy. “Penalties can go either way.”
In the AAA zone championship game, Sutherland won be default over Burnaby Mountain following a no-show by the BurWest No. 1 Lions.
District regular season champion Alpha and Cariboo Hill took on the top two North Shore schools in AA zone qualifying matches on Tuesday (played after NOWdeadlines).
