| Andre Press Sports Ticker Sudwerk Takes 2nd in Playoff Tourney By Bryant Maxwell AP Soccer Writer DAVIS, Calif., Dec. 19 --Two controversial calls stymied FC Sudwerk's bid for a championship on Tuesday night, as the club delivered a fine performance in the league's playoffs but lost the deciding game on a disputed goal. Needing a victory in the final match of the round-robin playoffs, Sudwerk fell to Davis United 1-0, thus giving United the league title. The winning tally came on a header after Sudwerk defenders believed the ball had rebounded from the out-of-bounds netting above the crossbar. Referee Victor Nuno ruled the ball was in play and allowed the goal. That followed a contested call made in the first playoff meeting between United and Sudwerk in which Nuno awarded United, trailing 1-0 at the time, a penalty kick for a hand ball with 4 minutes remaining in the match. United converted the penalty kick and scored again 2 minutes later to win the first game with Sudwerk 2-1. United also beat River Plate 2-0 twice to secure the championship. "Congratulations to United. They played hard all season and are a worthy champion," said Ramal Werdna, FC Sudwerk's president and CEO. "I'm exceptionally proud of how we played. We came very close, and if a few breaks had gone our way, we would have won it all." Sudwerk opened up the playoff tournament by beating River Plate 1-0 on a goal by Joncarlo Mark, who headed home a cross from Bruce Berry with 1 second remaining in regulation. With time running out, Armando Murrieta stole a midfield pass, fed Mark, who slid a pass to Berry who then returned the cross. The red-and-black displayed solid defense and a confident passing attack throughout the night despite fielding a lineup hurt by the absence of stars Andreas Agocs, Patrick Chandler and Hans Hemann. Chandler, afflicted with a sore throat and cold, came on for the final match. Sudwerk's newest recruit, Ralph Garcia, blasted a first-half goal in the club's first matchup with United. Garcia, scheduled to join the team for the winter season, displayed impressive speed and skill but was forced to sit out the second half when United reneged on its approval to let the non-rostered player play. Garcia also scored in the 10-0 rout of River Plate, Sudwerk's third playoff game. Eliminated from championship contention, River Plate used its second-string goalie and played only token defense in its second meeting with Sudwerk. In the deciding game with United, Sudwerk displayed excellent defense and had several opportunities to score. Perhaps the best chance came on a high through ball to Joncarlo Mark who clashed head to head with United's goalie. Mark's header went just wide of goal. As a result of the collision, Mark suffered a bloody, 2-inch gash on his chin but returned to the field after receiving treatment. Sudwerk, which finished the fall regular season 2-4-2, will take a break over the holidays and resume training Jan. 2 for the winter season, scheduled to begin Jan. 15. "I'm thrilled with how this team has come together," Werdna said. "We've improved steadily since our first game in October, and I look forward to a very successful winter season." PLAYOFF RESULTS FORMAT: THREE-TEAM ROUND-ROBIN WITH 20-MINUTE GAMES 6:30 p.m. -- Davis United 2, River Plate 0 7:00 p.m. -- Sudwerk 1, River Plate 0 7:30 p.m. -- Davis United 2, Sudwerk 1 8:00 p.m. -- Davis United 2, River Plate 0 8:30 p.m. -- Sudwerk 10, River Plate 0 9:00 p.m. -- Davis United 1, Sudwerk 0 PLAYOFF STANDINGS TEAM W--L--T--PTS--GF--GA Davis Unite 4--0--0--12-------7--1 Sudwerk 2--2--0---6------12--3 River Plate 0--4--0---0-------0-15 ## |