lpaf,
Yes, there was an upset in Region 5-4A yesterday, with the currently unranked (not for long?) Irmo Yellow Jackets defeating the previously 3rd ranked (not for long!) Dutch Fork Silver Foxes 3-2 (PK) at Dutch Fork. As a parent and fan of DF, I can say that it was one of the most disappointing losses I've seen. DF controlled the ball and the field for the first 25 minutes, culminating in a 1-0 lead off of a goal from the left side by Katie Bower, that just got passed the Irmo keeper into the left corner of the net. Something about that goal energized the Irmo team, because they began to play with an intensity that was lacking earlier in the game. They managed to tie the game just prior to the half on a loose ball in front of the goal. Once again, DF took the lead early in the 2nd half on a beautiful arching goal by Millie Green from about 25 yards. Not to be outdone, Irmo answered a short time later with their own long arching goal beyond the outstretched hands of the leaping DF keeper. The rest of the game was a series of blown opportunities by both squads. Neither team had any real momentum in the 2 5 minute OTs.
While I'm not one to blame the outcome of a game on officials, the 2 calling this game were terrible. There were injuries on both sides, with almost no foul calls. That led to more unneccessary pushing and shoving from both teams, with no whistles. Several blantant offsides calls were missed, not to mention half a dozen hand balls.
I don't really know what happened to the DF squad, or what energized the Irmo team, but the outcome speaks for itself. Hopefully, the Silver Foxes will learn from this loss and refocus for the remainder of the season. If not, its going to be another short lived appearance in the playoffs.
Anyway, congrats to the Irmo squad. They played a great game and didn't give up to a team that had beaten them twice last year and once already this year in the Viking Cup. The next game between these 2 will be for the Region Championship. No one else appears ready or able to contend at this time.