DELTA - Bayfield sophomore defender Jason Schneider nearly sent Delta's spirit crashing down when he raced past roaring teammates to go one-on-one with goalkeeper Felipe Bedoy in the 80th minute of the 3A boys soccer playoffs.
In true cliff-hanger movie irony, it had been Schneider getting whistled for a foul just inside the elbow of the Wolverine 18, which allowed sophomore Martin Corral to convert a 55th-minute penalty kick to start the scoring in the hard-fought match.
"With time running out, we attacked with everything we had, leaving only a couple guys on defense," BHS head coach Chris Zoltowski said. "I realized, we would either succeed or concede, but I didn't want to leave anything on the field. We had to give it a shot."
Known as one of Zoltowski's strike-capable "wing-backs," Schneider beat Bedoy low and left from about 15 yards away. Unfortunately, Schneider's shot hopped fewer than five feet outside Bedoy's back post, allowing #12 Delta to keep their 1-0 lead, and ultimately increase it to a winning 2-0 on Oct. 26 when Mendoza struck from close range in the 82nd.
"You know, they were a little apprehensive about Bayfield," Delta coach Elaine Wood said about her team. "We just couldn't get a good feel for their play. Those kids have heart and don't give up. Our players don't give up either, but they realized, 'Wow, we cannot rest on one goal!'"
Delta's win came at the expense of Bayfield's first shot at post-season play in 10 years.
"Towards the end we really started working together and put the hammer down," said Bayfield senior Tilden Berriman. "It all started coming together the last 10 minutes; we just had shots and shots."
"After they scored that unfortunate penalty kick, all of us just looked at each other and said, 'You know what? We've made it this far, let's just push it! We have to do this!'"
Corral's PK was definitely unfortunate.
BHS goalie Chad Winkler guessed correctly the Panther's intended direction - low and to his right - and almost made the save. The play did, however, end up being a preview of the tooth-and-nail action still to come.
And just six minutes after falling behind, the Wolverines (12-4-0 overall) fought for a chance at equalizing when senior Armando Lerma was pulled down by Delta junior Sergio Campos. Awarded a penalty kick, Lerma couldn't beat Bedoy straight and low, as Bedoy hadn't flinched one way or the other in anticipation of a shot towards a corner.
Bedoy was the star of Delta's show, unofficially totaling 11 saves, with nine coming after intermission. Bayfield attempted 13 total shots and put nine on frame, and also gained five of their seven corner kicks during the second half.
Delta (13-2-1) fired 16 total shots, but accurately located just six (including Corral's). Winkler totaled four saves, but DHS always seemed to be near his area in working for 10 corner kicks.
"I think both teams played really well and they just came out on top," Berriman said.
"Considering this was the first time any of the guys have seen the postseason,I was very pleased with the way they conducted themselves," Zoltowski said. "They played the first half with great composure, the second half was simply unlucky. With this experience under our belts, I believe the Playoffs will become the culture of this team. Now our underclassmen know they have what it takes to be a competitor."
Berriman added: "Our whole school was on board and cheering us, pretty much the whole community was there for us, and it just made the whole experience amazing. I think everyone wished we could have gone further, but we were all really content with what happened during the season."
