Timely scoring is always imperative in the playoffs, where every second counts.
Literally, every second counts.
Paul Mako scored a goal with one second remaining in the first half to help lift fourth-seeded Lakeville North over fifth-seeded Rochester Mayo 2-0 in the Section 1AA quarterfinals on Tuesday at Lakeville North High School.
Mako’s goal might have timely but wasn’t initially ruled as “in time.”
The referee did not allow the score, believing it occurred after the first half expired. However, the official got together with the linesmen and the group determined there was time on the clock when the ball went in the net, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
The junior defender, however, had no doubts the goal was good.
“I knew it went in on time,” Mako said. “I looked at the clock as I crossed midfield, and we had 16 seconds left. I know that when we get going, it takes about eight to 10 seconds to set up a play. So there was no doubt that it was in.”
Panthers’ coach Pete Tyma said the referee’s decision made halftime interesting.
“At first, we are thinking it is tied and we are heading into the second half that way,” Tyma said. “Then they come over and tell you that you have a 1-0 lead. I’m sure that (the Spartans) were not happy with that.”
The Panthers made any controversy about the goal a moot point when Josh Meyer scored with 22 minutes to play in the game.
The senior midfielder used his chest to settle a pass from Mako and one-touched the ball into the lower right corner, giving Lakeville North a 2-0 lead.
“It erased any questions that people would have had if we won by a goal,” Meyer said. “That was important to get that one and play so well the rest of the game because (Rochester Mayo was) starting to pick it up a bit.”
Tyma also said the second goal stopped any conversations about a questionable call aiding the Panthers in the victory.
“A 1-0 win on a close call like that, you know there would be some questions,” he added.
The Panthers’ victory Tuesday was their second in their last six games but also their second over the Spartans this season. Lakeville North beat Rochester Mayo 1-0 in the season opener Aug. 21, propelling the Panthers to a 4-0-1 start. The team, however, struggled to find victories once it entered South Suburban Conference play.
Lakeville North returned its early season form against Rochester Mayo and could signal that the Panthers are prepared for a successful postseason run, Mako said.
“If you would have seen how we played in August, I think tonight was similar to that,” he said. “We dropped off a bit at the end of the season, but I think we are getting it back and you couldn’t ask for a better time.”
