By a Whisker

In sports, as in life, it's not always fair. Those of us parents of Palomino players over eight or so seasons could be forgiven for hoping the girls might win the championship this spring. Coming into today's game they were unbeaten, as was their opponent. The winner will probably finish in first place after next Saturday's final games.

Before the game, the coach set the lineup and also had some bad news; due to a technicality that has never before been enforced, he would have to go across the field and coach from the parents' section. The reason for this was a creepy ref, who seemed to arrive with an agenda, determined to be anal-retentive and confrontational.

By half, when he rejoined his players, they were down 0-2, and one of the goals had been counted by the ref despite an uncalled offside violation. He told them how to adjust and come back. Then he had to depart to the parents' side once again.

The girls responded to his instructions and played a furious second half, finally scoring and drawing within one of a draw. Alas, they fell short and lost 1-2.

Afterwards, their head coach rejoined the team, and spoke. "In my book, you guys won."

In my book too. But sadly, a bad ref probably determined this game's outcome, so they will now finish with a winning record but not an unbeaten one, officially.

The coach and the girls all seemed fine, actually. They'd competed well under difficult and suspicious circumstances. Most suspiciously, the ref had allowed the other team to play much of the first half with an extra player, illegally, until one of our parents noticed.

Once we protested, the ref decided not to punish the opposing team and let both their goals stand.

Who knows what was happening in the background here. After all, shit happens, for all kinds of reasons. Lots of people cheat. Just look at Wall Street!

The season ends next weekend. If the girls win their finale, out at Beach Chalet, they'll have had by far their best season ever.

-30-