I wasn't at the game tonight, but I have to weigh in on this...and this is coming from a coach who has lost to Wando on many occasions over the last few years. In all the times we have played Wando or I have watched their matches, I have never seen any indication of any unsportsmanlike behavior, much less intentional breaking of the rules, from their team or coach. Rather than fostering resentment, they are a group that my developing team aspires to be like, and respect among teenage girls--especially from girls who have just been beaten on the field--is not easy to come by. I cannot believe Coach Champ would have intentionally done anything to cheat or otherwise mar the game. I know how much tension is involved here, and it's hard to come so close and fall short, but I hate to see a hard-fought match result in so much resentment and name-calling. There was an error made, which was ultimately the responsibility of the officials to monitor. Both teams are deserving, but Wando got the ball in the net, and a subbing error that no one can even determine the length of shouldn't take that away. To say that Wando doesn't deserve the championship is to say that 5 minutes or less of error negates an entire season of talent and effort.
