Prep boys soccer: Marysville-Pilchuck 2, Mariner 1 (OT)

Published 10:45 pm Tuesday, April 19, 2011

EVERETT — Just call them the comeback kids.

For the fifth time this season, the Marysville-Pilchuck boys soccer team trailed by a goal and for the fifth time the Tommahawks (9-1 league, 10-1 overall) came back to win. Tuesday’s 2-1 Wesco 4A triumph over Mariner was as dramatic as any of the

Tommies’ rallies.

After Juan Mendoza found an 80th-minute equalizer, Fabian Panduro netted the game-winner in the third minute of overtime.

“It was a pretty emotional win for us,” M-P coach Geoff Kittle said. “We really wanted to get points off of Mariner … To go from getting no points (in the standings) to getting three is unbelievable.”

Panduro’s game-winner came thanks to an assist by Jesus Valenzuela, who made a nice run to the right corner before crossing toward the 6-yard box. Panduro came in from his outside midfield position to finish a shot that bounced off Mariner (7-3,9-3) goalie Ulises Hernadez’s hands and rolled over the line.

“It was gutsy for our guys,” Kittle said. “I really felt like Mariner was one of the toughest teams we’ve played all year.

The final goal in regulation was especially gutsy. Anthony Johnson attempted a free kick as time was running out and Kittle ordered all of the Tommies, save goalie Kyle Bluhm, into the 20-yard box. Johnson’s blast was strong enough to penetrate the box and after a missed shot, Mendoza collected the rebound and sent the game to overtime.

Mariner’s Eduardo Tamayo netted an impressive goal in the 52nd minute to give the Marauders a 1-0 edge. Tamayo hit the upper right corner from 25-yards out over the outstretched arms of Bluhm.

Kittle, was impressed with Tamayo’s goal, but he was especially proud that his defense kept one of Wesco’s leading scorers, Mariner’s Yahir Sandoval off the scoresheet.

“We just tried to account for him and deny him the ball,” Kittle said. “There were a few times that were kind of hairy. He’s really good.”

The Tommies now have 26 points in the Wesco North Standings with a six-point edge over second-place Snohomish.