The Bear Creek School boys team’s losses last weekend in the state semifinals and the 3rd-4th-place consolation finals — both 3-2 losses to Providence Classical Christian and St. George’s, respectively — were far too frighteningly similar to seem real.
It certainly didn’t seem real to the stunned Grizzly squad and head coach Chad Pohlman, who was nearly at a loss for words after the team gave up three late goals to fall to the Dragons in the 3rd-4th-place game at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium in Sumner.
“It wasn’t for a lack of effort on our part,” Pohlman said. “They rose to the challenge, and (the Dragons) defeated us.”
In the semifinals against Providence, senior standout Mark Phillips scored two goals within a minute of each other, in the 47th and 48th minutes, to give his team a 2-0 lead that held up until the final minutes of the game.
In the 74th minute, Providence scored its first goal, with the equalizer coming three minutes later.
With 12 seconds left on the game clock, Providence senior Andrew Moisant put the nail in the coffin with the game-winner, devastating the Grizzlies.
The very next day, Phillips again put Bear Creek ahead 2-0 in a one-minute stretch, out-hustling Dragon defenders and scoring twice in the 18th and 19th minutes.
For the next 46 minutes of play, the Grizzlies were able to hold St. George’s at bay.
In the 65th minute, Karl Muelheims finally broke through for the Dragons, and six minutes later, Camus Chapman tied it up on an unassisted goal that deflected off Bear Creek keeper Michael Worley, hit the crossbar, and trickled into the net.
In the final minute of play, the Grizzlies got their most unfortunate break of the long season as they were called for a penalty just outside the box, setting up a Dragons’ free kick, from about 15 yards, that was essentially for the game.
Chapman took the kick and found Karl’s brother Erik, who headed in the game-winner with 16 seconds left.
“I always believe in these guys,” said Heidi Melville, head coach of St. George’s. “They never die, they never quit … we were a little flat starting out, but they just really lit a fire.”
Even in the loss, Pohlman gave the Dragons credit for coming up with the game’s defining play.
“It was just a great play on their part,” he said. “At the end of the game, everyone’s just exhausted, and that guy got up and won the ball. There’s nothing else you can do but tip your hat and congratulate them.”
Despite the season-ending losses, Pohlman said he was proud of his seniors’ leadership and fortitude.
“I’m just so proud of the seniors, for not just the four years they’ve given, but this year in particular,” Pohlman said. “The leadership that our seniors showed this year was second-to-none. The way that they led this team, both on the field and with their attitudes, I just commend them so much. They showed true leadership to this team and I couldn’t have asked for more from them. It was an amazing group and truly the honor of my coaching career at this point to coach this group of seniors.
“Mark (Phillips) ended up with 40 goals, tied for the state lead in goals this season. He will go down as the greatest soccer player in Bear Creek history to this point. He’s an unbelievable player, always plays with class and is such a great person, a great teammate. There’s not a better player I’d want on my team than Mark, with the kind of person he is.”
