Review of the game film confirms the worst possible suspicions. Wando actually played the entire first half with 14 players, and at times two goalies. You will remember that it was during this half that they scored their goal, up three players on Lexington. Somehow the crowd, Lex coaching staff and refs did not pick up on this. Less adventuresome at the begining of the second half Wando fielded 13 players, but never played the extra goalie, worried that it would be obvious. Down the home stretch, leading by a single goal, Coach Champ followed the traditional Wando strategy of substituting at every available throw in to break Lexington's rythym. Few if any realized that she was also trying desperately to reduce (not increase) her excess number of players on the field. She got it down to 12 by incessant substitution, but was afraid someone might actually notice and at that point brought the matter to the 4th ref's attention, who then stopped the game. She had calculated that this would engender a long pause in the game as the refs consulted among themselves to sort out exactly what, by the laws of the game, should be done. This wasted more time and further sidetracked Lexington's attack.
Wando should be forced to play every game next year with only 9 players on the pitch in the first half and 10 players the second half. The refs should be forced to take counting lessons.
