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Post by bolo on Apr 17, 2023 8:41:33 GMT -5
Heard this from a friend who was at this game, and I honestly can't believe it actually happened (but it did).
On April 4, the Galloway boys were hosting Whitefield Academy in the season finale for both teams, which also served as Galloway's Senior Night.
The playoff stakes (Class A, Division I): Galloway, Whitefield, and Mount Vernon all came into the game vying for the final two state playoff spots in Region 6. Galloway was assured of being in win or lose, but there were several different permutations of whether they would be the 3 or 4 seed, and whether Mount Vernon or Whitefield would get the other spot, based on the result & goal differential. So a good contingent of the Mount Vernon team and coaching staff came to Galloway to watch the game, as their regular season had already ended. And apparently, there is a lot of "bad blood" between Galloway & Mount Vernon historically.
So the game starts, and Whitefield scores a goal in the 1st half and goes into halftime up 1-0. Galloway comes back and equalizes in the 2nd half, and as the clock is winding down, the game looks like it will end in a 1-1 draw. That would put Galloway in as the 3 seed and Mount Vernon as the 4. With less than 30 seconds left in the game, the ball gets back to the Galloway keeper, a sophomore. He picks up the ball, and curiously starts walking back toward his own goal. At that point, he looks over at the Mount Vernon contingent in the stands, smiles, sets the ball down right in front of the goal, and walks away from it. A Whitefield player runs in and taps it into the net with 10 seconds left, and Whitefield wins 2-1. Whitefield becomes the 3 seed, Galloway is the 4, and Mount Vernon is out of the playoffs.
Obviously at this point no one can believe what they just saw- players, coaching staffs, fans, etc. The Galloway players are livid, especially the seniors, who are in tears as they just had their Senior Night ruined. The Galloway coach is so upset he can't even speak to the team, just walks off the field. The Mount Vernon group is beyond pissed. Everyone is in complete disbelief.
So here's what happened: The Galloway keeper, completely on his own, had decided- based on the projected playoff draw- that he thought it would be better for Galloway to be the 4 seed than the 3 seed. He also apparently didn't like Mount Vernon. So he came up with this plan to throw the game if he had the chance, and didn't tell anyone else. Clearly no one knew this was going to happen- they even fought back to tie the game after being down. If they wanted to lose, they easily could have done so. No one from Galloway agreed with or condoned what he did.
After the game, the keeper was suspended for their next game (1st round playoff game vs. Oglethorpe County). Honestly I'm shocked he wasn't kicked off the team altogether, but I heard just suspended. So they go into their playoff game having to play their backup keeper, who from what I understand happened to be the starting keeper's younger brother. In the game, the sub keeper gives up 2 soft goals, and Galloway loses 2-1, ending their season. Sounds like karma caught up to them, especially as Whitefield won their 1st round game against Social Circle 3-1. Crazy.
Anyway, I know this was long but I had to share. Just when you think you've heard it all, you get a professional wresting-style "heel turn" from a player to literally hand a game to the opposing team!
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Post by notcrazysoccerdad on Apr 17, 2023 11:24:01 GMT -5
That is absolutely insane.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on Apr 17, 2023 11:53:14 GMT -5
I should not be laughing, but you have to luv local sports and the rivalries that they spurn. While I don't condone what the GK did, he will be fodder for discussions for years to come...
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Post by bogan on Apr 17, 2023 12:30:51 GMT -5
I should not be laughing, but you have to luv local sports and the rivalries that they spurn. While I don't condone what the GK did, he will be fodder for discussions for years to come... That kid’s going places…maybe not very good places, but places. 🤣 |
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Post by mightydawg on Apr 17, 2023 12:52:41 GMT -5
And that is the reason that most soccer leagues have the last games on the same day and at the same time. If Mount Vernon is not at the game, keeper probably doesn’t do it. If all of the results are not known, probably don’t know what is needed so have to play to win.
I don’t get why the coach suspended the keeper. Isn’t that the ultimate insult to the seniors? They could go out as champions but instead suspend your best option to win. Make the keeper run until he pukes if you disagree with the decision.
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Post by dabe on Apr 17, 2023 13:05:45 GMT -5
Wow.
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Post by bolo on Apr 17, 2023 14:04:51 GMT -5
And that is the reason that most soccer leagues have the last games on the same day and at the same time. If Mount Vernon is not at the game, keeper probably doesn’t do it. If all of the results are not known, probably don’t know what is needed so have to play to win. I don’t get why the coach suspended the keeper. Isn’t that the ultimate insult to the seniors? They could go out as champions but instead suspend your best option to win. Make the keeper run until he pukes if you disagree with the decision. I'm sorry, but if I were the coach, I couldn't keep a player on the team period if he just intentionally gave a game away, of his own idea/volition, without checking with or telling anyone else what he was going to do. I'm kind of surprised he didn't get his ass kicked by some of the seniors, who were apparently very upset with what happened. And, "Go out as champions?" This was a team that was going to be at best a 3 seed from their own region. It's not like they were likely to go very far in the playoffs regardless. You've got to draw a line somewhere. I guess for some people, the line is, "I don't care what he did, if he can help me win, I want him on the field". I would like to think people aren't that obsessed with winning over everything else- especially in youth sports- but clearly some are. |
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Post by bogan on Apr 17, 2023 14:48:49 GMT -5
And that is the reason that most soccer leagues have the last games on the same day and at the same time. If Mount Vernon is not at the game, keeper probably doesn’t do it. If all of the results are not known, probably don’t know what is needed so have to play to win. I don’t get why the coach suspended the keeper. Isn’t that the ultimate insult to the seniors? They could go out as champions but instead suspend your best option to win. Make the keeper run until he pukes if you disagree with the decision. I'm sorry, but if I were the coach, I couldn't keep a player on the team period if he just intentionally gave a game away, of his own idea/volition, without checking with or telling anyone else what he was going to do. I'm kind of surprised he didn't get his ass kicked by some of the seniors, who were apparently very upset with what happened. And, "Go out as champions?" This was a team that was going to be at best a 3 seed from their own region. It's not like they were likely to go very far in the playoffs regardless. You've got to draw a line somewhere. I guess for some people, the line is, "I don't care what he did, if he can help me win, I want him on the field". I would like to think people aren't that obsessed with winning over everything else- especially in youth sports- but clearly some are. That’s what doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t see a sophomore goal keep making this decision by himself. Perhaps the coach wasn’t aware but I bet several /many of his teammates were. |
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Post by datrain on Apr 17, 2023 14:52:11 GMT -5
Nice try.....but you have the facts completely wrong.
First and foremost, Galloway had not clinched a birth. Based upon the way that the region tiebreakers worked Galloway advanced to the State Tournament for the first time in a generation if one of three events occurred: (A) Galloway wins outright; (B) Galloway loses 1-0; (C) Galloway loses 2-1. If they lost by two or more goals, they were out. If they conceded more than 2 goals, they were out. There is no sudden death overtime....so there is no guarantee of a 2-1 final if the game goes OT.
It had zero to do with a rivalry with Mt. Vernon. Zero. It had zero to do with seeding. Zero. It had to do with making the state tournament....period. No ifs, ands or buts. Everyone on the field on both sides knew the permutations. The region's athletic directors concocted an ill-conceived tiebreaker system other than what is suggested by GHSA, as is their right. In creating the tiebreaker system, they created a framework where you win by losing.....a true Alice in Wonderland scenario. The goalie allowed the goal to be scored to ensure the 2-1 defeat and ensure a place in the playoffs for Galloway without leaving to the hands of fate (hand balls, own goals, PKs) in overtime. End of story.
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Post by mightydawg on Apr 17, 2023 14:57:20 GMT -5
And that is the reason that most soccer leagues have the last games on the same day and at the same time. If Mount Vernon is not at the game, keeper probably doesn’t do it. If all of the results are not known, probably don’t know what is needed so have to play to win. I don’t get why the coach suspended the keeper. Isn’t that the ultimate insult to the seniors? They could go out as champions but instead suspend your best option to win. Make the keeper run until he pukes if you disagree with the decision. I'm sorry, but if I were the coach, I couldn't keep a player on the team period if he just intentionally gave a game away, of his own idea/volition, without checking with or telling anyone else what he was going to do. I'm kind of surprised he didn't get his ass kicked by some of the seniors, who were apparently very upset with what happened. And, "Go out as champions?" This was a team that was going to be at best a 3 seed from their own region. It's not like they were likely to go very far in the playoffs regardless. You've got to draw a line somewhere. I guess for some people, the line is, "I don't care what he did, if he can help me win, I want him on the field". I would like to think people aren't that obsessed with winning over everything else- especially in youth sports- but clearly some are. It is funny that you say that people are obsessed with winning over everything else and the whole story is that a kid intentionally lost a game that should have been tied. So winning was not the most important thing, keeping a hated rival out of the playoffs was. You want the kid to be condemned for not winning. Your argument literally makes no sense. 20 years from now, no one is going to remember if the team won on senior night or lost on senior night. I know that I certainly don't remember the score of my senior nights from high school. I remember my parents being out on field with me and the pride that they had in me but I can't tell you who we played or what the result was either time. But they will always remember how they lost the game to keep a rival out of the playoffs in one of the greatest FU moments of all time. That is something that will still be talking about 20 years from now. Even if you think that it was the stupidest move in the history of sports, it will be remembered. Just like Leon Lett's premature celebration in the Super Bowl. That is still talked about and highlights shown to this day. Everyone, including you, wants to say that youth sports is taken too seriously. Then a kid does something that shows it is not that serious and you want him drawn and quartered in the town square. Which is it? |
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Post by mightydawg on Apr 17, 2023 15:00:21 GMT -5
Nice try.....but you have the facts completely wrong. First and foremost, Galloway had not clinched a birth. Based upon the way that the region tiebreakers worked Galloway advanced to the State Tournament for the first time in a generation if one of three events occurred: (A) Galloway wins outright; (B) Galloway loses 1-0; (C) Galloway loses 2-1. If they lost by two or more goals, they were out. If they conceded more than 2 goals, they were out. There is no sudden death overtime....so there is no guarantee of a 2-1 final if the game goes OT. It had zero to do with a rivalry with Mt. Vernon. Zero. It had zero to do with seeding. Zero. It had to do with making the state tournament....period. No ifs, ands or buts. Everyone on the field on both sides knew the permutations. The region's athletic directors concocted an ill-conceived tiebreaker system other than what is suggested by GHSA, as is their right. In creating the tiebreaker system, they created a framework where you win by losing.....a true Alice in Wonderland scenario. The goalie allowed the goal to be scored to ensure the 2-1 defeat and ensure a place in the playoffs for Galloway without leaving to the hands of fate (hand balls, own goals, PKs) in overtime. End of story. That makes much more sense but the first story was better. Was the goalkeeper even suspended? If so, why? |
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Post by datrain on Apr 17, 2023 15:07:37 GMT -5
Yes.....but not for violating any rules of the game or GHSA rules.
To be clear, Galloway played to win the game for 79 minutes and 50 seconds
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Post by bolo on Apr 17, 2023 15:22:08 GMT -5
Yes.....but not for violating any rules of the game or GHSA rules. To be clear, Galloway played to win the game for 79 minutes and 50 seconds OK, well clearly the person who was there and is very well-connected to the Mount Vernon side may not have gotten the complete story, so I apologize if I got what was apparently an extremely convoluted scenario wrong. It's really weird to me that a loss would have been better than a draw for Galloway, but I guess I'll have to take your word on that. Still doesn't explain why the keeper was suspended, or why the coach and seniors were so upset after the game. If they knew what was going to happen, why would they be upset, and why would the keeper be suspended? My guess is you know but won't say on here. |
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Post by datrain on Apr 17, 2023 15:24:31 GMT -5
The seniors were not upset. None of them. The coach was upset because he wanted to win, period.
There are no draws in region play. The game would have gone to overtime with NO sudden death. Unlimited scoring.
If it was still tied, it goes to PKs
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Post by bolo on Apr 17, 2023 15:39:27 GMT -5
The seniors were not upset. None of them. The coach was upset because he wanted to win, period. There are no draws in region play. The game would have gone to overtime with NO sudden death. Unlimited scoring. If it was still tied, it goes to PKs Got it. You're clearly a Galloway parent or otherwise close to the team, so I'll take your word on all of this. So basically, it sounds like the coach wanted to play to win, and the players (or at least the keeper) didn't want to take the chance that they might lose in OT or the shootout, so they took matters into their own hands, unbeknownst to the coach. Guessing that's why he suspended the keeper then. It's definitely one strategy to take, though it is a bit of the coward's way out. I'm not saying it wasn't ultimately the smart play, as it guaranteed advancement to the playoffs, but it definitely was not the bold path to take. I still find it hard to believe that they set up a system where it came down to a loss being better than a draw for Galloway, but that could go back to how the teams fared head-to-head, or whatever random tiebreakers were in place that you alluded to earlier. For the record, I apologize to the forum if my initial post wasn't 100% correct, though I guess I did have much of what actually happened right- maybe just not the motivation. Still boggles my mind a bit that it would happen the way it did. |
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Post by newguy on Apr 17, 2023 15:41:37 GMT -5
The seniors were not upset. None of them. The coach was upset because he wanted to win, period. There are no draws in region play. The game would have gone to overtime with NO sudden death. Unlimited scoring. If it was still tied, it goes to PKs My son played for the coach in club. I have no doubt he would be mad because he wanted to win but more that he wouldn’t tolerate throwing a game under any circumstances. I can’t blame the kids for what they did or the coach for being mad about it. |
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Post by datrain on Apr 17, 2023 15:45:00 GMT -5
There was no need for Galloway to take the "bold path." The team goal was to make the state playoffs for the first time in a generation. They accomplished the goal....period. It was not the "coward's way out".....it was the smart, strategic move, end of story. And if you know anything about the player in question, he is known in soccer circles as one of the shrewdest players out there. He knew the rules, the situation and the permutations. There was nothing to gain by continuing to play.
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Post by Soccerhouse on Apr 17, 2023 16:11:35 GMT -5
Crazy story --- have to add with Padiea and Atlanta international, 1A soccer was extremely competitive this year.
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Post by rifle on Apr 17, 2023 18:37:59 GMT -5
GREAT story. Thanks for sharing. I have a relative who attended Galloway and transferred to MV (and plays soccer) so I can’t wait to talk with them about this one.
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Post by rifle on Apr 17, 2023 19:00:20 GMT -5
I also understand Galloway sports are “everybody plays” and not hyper competitive like many private schools so not surprising they aren’t frequent playoff participants.
Just asked my SIL and heard this:
when MV played Galloway MV got 2 red cards so lost the game when down to 9 players. Then there was a paint ball incident as well…
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Post by datrain on Apr 17, 2023 19:22:44 GMT -5
There were 3 ejections of MV players for violent play: double yellow that should have been a straight red for willfully kicking the keeper on the ground after a save; a violent studs up tackle from behind, and 2 feet to the face of an opponent.
The game was stopped multiple times for excessively violent play by MV.
They got frustrated and lost all control. The HC better pray the audio of that game never goes public. It was an embarrassment.
As for the alleged “paintball incident”, it was a desperate attempt by a MV player to get Galloway players suspended before the Whitefield game. It was easily and immediately debunked.
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Post by georgiatechalum on Apr 17, 2023 20:06:31 GMT -5
What did the goalie do to get suspended for a “once in a generation” playoff game? I know you said it wasn’t anything to do with league rules. So the coach must have felt what he did was serious enough to bench him for an important game for the school and go with a back up.
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Post by Respect on Apr 17, 2023 20:43:44 GMT -5
And that is the reason that most soccer leagues have the last games on the same day and at the same time. If Mount Vernon is not at the game, keeper probably doesn’t do it. If all of the results are not known, probably don’t know what is needed so have to play to win. I don’t get why the coach suspended the keeper. Isn’t that the ultimate insult to the seniors? They could go out as champions but instead suspend your best option to win. Make the keeper run until he pukes if you disagree with the decision. The ultimate insult to the seniors is to let the keeper play. The ultimate praise to the seniors is to recognize their rectitude and integrity which will serve them better in life than winning one more game. |
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Post by datrain on Apr 17, 2023 20:50:02 GMT -5
One more thing while we are at it
The younger brother is 14 and played well. Neither goal was soft. The first goal was a skidding one hopper to the far post …a wormburner that was struck on the rivets from outside the 18. The 2nd goal was an own goal.
That kid is going to be a very very good starting keeper in time. He’s already better than over half the starting keepers in the region. He trains with the top goalie trainers in the area. He is a 14 yo in a state playoff game starting against 18 yos
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Post by atlantasoccerdad2020 on Apr 17, 2023 21:35:41 GMT -5
Nice try.....but you have the facts completely wrong. First and foremost, Galloway had not clinched a birth. Based upon the way that the region tiebreakers worked Galloway advanced to the State Tournament for the first time in a generation if one of three events occurred: (A) Galloway wins outright; (B) Galloway loses 1-0; (C) Galloway loses 2-1. If they lost by two or more goals, they were out. If they conceded more than 2 goals, they were out. There is no sudden death overtime....so there is no guarantee of a 2-1 final if the game goes OT. It had zero to do with a rivalry with Mt. Vernon. Zero. It had zero to do with seeding. Zero. It had to do with making the state tournament....period. No ifs, ands or buts. Everyone on the field on both sides knew the permutations. The region's athletic directors concocted an ill-conceived tiebreaker system other than what is suggested by GHSA, as is their right. In creating the tiebreaker system, they created a framework where you win by losing.....a true Alice in Wonderland scenario. The goalie allowed the goal to be scored to ensure the 2-1 defeat and ensure a place in the playoffs for Galloway without leaving to the hands of fate (hand balls, own goals, PKs) in overtime. End of story. Original story was better. The win by losing is insane. Does this division play 9v9 or 11v11? Some of the school may not have enough students to field 11 with subs is why I ask. |
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Post by datrain on Apr 17, 2023 22:03:48 GMT -5
11 v 11
Class A has historically been a very strong division
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Post by soccerdad76 on Apr 18, 2023 0:26:11 GMT -5
My peanut gallery $0.02… a tie (probably) gets them in, a 1 goal loss apparently does, but a 2 goal loss (in overtime should it end that way) apparently does not.
So outside of who was the architect, the tactical question is before the game even starts, do you take a 1 goal loss and guarantee state, or fast forward to overtime where you might get a better seed, or you might not make state at all?
More rhetorical than looking for an answer, mostly just attempting to answer the tie question (I’m completely uniformed but staying at a Holiday Inn tonight 😜)
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Post by datrain on Apr 18, 2023 5:36:05 GMT -5
The other risk is both teams score in OT; if you lose in PKs, it is a 3-2 loss and you don’t make state tournament
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Post by soccerdad76 on Apr 18, 2023 7:19:19 GMT -5
Ah, the number of goals is important as much as the differential… a lot to track and you better be damn sure before allowing a free goal
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Post by datrain on Apr 18, 2023 7:26:42 GMT -5
The player in question knew every permutation heading in
So did all of the players on both teams…everyone parents, players, coaches knew the math
Both teams played to win the game outright until the final 10 seconds
The only people who couldn’t figure it out were the region ADs who concocted this moronic framework in the first place
What makes this rich is that I was told that the MV AD was the one who actually created it (I have no idea if that is true…but it is out there being discussed)
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