Cascade senior Timo Murray goes up for a header as a pair of Forrest defenders look on. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge]

CHAPEL HILL -- Soccer fans who think that soccer games should be determined by penalty kicks and not by player skills exhibited on the field, please raise your hands.

Cascade's District 11-A/AA tournament match versus defending champion Forrest Rockets was decided in just that manner on Saturday evening.

Both teams battled to a draw after 100 minutes of play encompassing regulation and two overtimes. Neither could score despite a total of 55 shots on goal between them.

Both teams had their chances to win the physical match in regulation but Forrest missed an in-close shot that sailed over the net on a breakaway with under two minutes remaining to set up one last possession by the Champions.

Ryan Deason drove the ball down the left sideline and past a lunging Devon O'Brien into the net as the referee blew the whistle and waved off the potential game-winning goal. Howls of protest rose from Cascade fans amidst looks of glee among the Rocket faithful.

"Boy, we went from thinking that we had scored the winning goal to 'Let's get back on the field for overtime' just like that," Lady Champion coach Monica Lewis said. "I didn't agree with the call because we felt that the ball was well on its way when the whistle blew but the referee felt otherwise and we have to respect that.

"I was very pleased with the way our guys regrouped and played in the overtime periods."

The 10-minute overtime periods ended the same as the first 80 minutes as the exhausted teams went back into their huddles to choose which players would get their chance at the opposing team's goalie from point-blank range.

Both teams scored three goals apiece in the first penalty kick phase to send the game to yet another extra period.

Jonathan Wilkerson scored first for Forrest before Cascade's Timo Murray stepped up and deftly placed one into the left corner of the net to square the score.

Andy Mendoza put Forrest ahead with what turned out to be the winning goal as Cascade's last shot sailed high to end their season despite dominating ball possession and outshooting their opponent 32-23.

"I told my kids that the scoreboard may show us as the losing team, but that they could be proud of coming out here and dominating the game on their home field," Lewis said.

"I hate it for my team and especially for the seniors that their season was decided in a manner that is basically a crap shoot with very little skill involved.

"The bottom line is that we had some very solid chances to score several times in regulation and couldn't put into the net.

"I would like to thank my players and their parents for making my first varsity season a special one. I will never forget it or them."

Cascade finished with a 2-6-1 record.