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TIE GOES TO THE RUNNER -- POLY

By overcoming an early one-goal deficit, and then, settling for a 2-2 draw with City College after holding a brief lead, the Engineers retained first place in the Baltimore City League standings and the inside track toward their third crown in four years.
by Lem Satterfield


City College led by a goal during a first half that ended in a one-goal tie, trailed early in the second half, and then permenantly knotted things up again through two overtimes for a draw -- all of which benefitted its rival, Poly, in Baltimore City boys' soccer action on Monday.

The tie not only allowed the Engineers to retain sole possession of first place at 5-1-1 in league play, and 5-3-1 overall, but it left Poly with an inside track toward earning its third city conference title in four seasons.

"City played hard, and our guys played very hard, but I still have mixed emotions about the game," said coach Nick Greer, whose Engineers made it 1-1 just before halftime and led, 2-1, five minutes into the second half.

 "I wished we could have walked away saying that we won, but at least we also didn't lose," said Greer, whose Engineers have five league games left to play. "If we win the rest of our games, then we still can win another city championship, which is our goal."

City slipped to 4-2-1 overall and in the league, having ended a 16-game winning streak, earlier this year, by last year's city champion, Patterson (5-2).

Considering the Knights graduated 12 seniors, coach George Sfikas was pleased with his team's effort.

"They [Engineers] were a tough team, and I'd have to say that our kids are overachieving right now," Sfikas said. "Under the circumstances, I'm very proud of our guys."

The Knights led, 1-0, on a goal by senior Pat Turner, and tied the game on a second-half score by sophomore Ben Chello. City goalie Adam Stokes made six saves.

For the Engineers, sophomore midfielder Paul Kwenah's goal tied the game for halftime, and senior forward Amilcar Morales gave Poly a 2-1 lead.

Rob Sweet, the Engineers' fourth-year starting goalie, finished with seven saves.

The Engineers were coming off of Wednesday's come-from-behind, 2-1 overtime victory at Patterson, a win that avenged an earlier loss.

In that game, Engineers' sophomore Joe Mirabile scored both goals, with the game-winner coming on a penalty kick after having been tripped in the box.