The Stockton Cargo came into their Quarterfinal Playoff appearance against Utah United having completed a dramatic comeback win in their previous game Friday night. On Sunday evening at Saint Mary’s High’s Sanguinetti Field, drama was in full supply, but it was all the wrong kind for the Cargo and their fans, as Utah eliminated Stockton from the Women’s USL playoff by a score of 2-0.
Utah controlled possession early and throughout the first half culminating in a goal by United’s Kaylie Chambers in the 20thminute. Utah continued their pressure by leveraging their massive size differential at most positions, increasing their physical play against the scrappy Cargo squad.
A huge call brought the storyline of the game into very sharp focus, as both Utah’s Seven Castain and a Cargo defender went down in the box in first- half stoppage time, with the referee calling for a penalty shot which the United striker converted. This provided a huge punctuation to Utah’s dominant play in the first half and a boiling point for Stockton’s fans, players and coaches, who all made their voices heard throughout the match.
The second half is when things really got heated.
With the Cargo coming out with an increased offensive energy, Utah turned up the physical, which at times seemed the Stockton crowd seemed to come at the expense of the rules. After a handball call was apparently missed, another physical play which left a cargo player on the ground, Stockton coach Marek Albert finally had had enough. He went directly to the linesman and shouted long enough and loud enough to earn a yellow, then red card. The Cargo now needed to turn up their play another notch. They did.
Lead by Stockton forwards Mika Sayfurhman and Vanessa Penuna, Stockton continued their second half efforts thanks to a midfield that was starting to gain more possession, emptying their gas tanks against the United’s bigger midfield players. However, many of their efforts were thwarted by several key missed calls that benefitted the United.
A handball in the box that would have been a penalty shot was missed. After an open-armed shove in the box was missed, a member of the Cargo’s medical staff was also ejected. This threw the home crowd into a loud frenzy. Fans players on the Cargo bench were fuming, but the Cargo played on, continuing to generate offense.
As the clock emptied, Utah goalkeeper Taylor Rath made several big saves to keep Utah ahead and the Cargo scoreless. Rath made several saves from close range and from corner kick scrums. Rath’s clutch plays and some controversial calls/non-calls were more than the Cargo could overcome on this evening.
The Cargo’s season now ended, they can proud of what they have achieved, and what they have done for soccer in Stockton, and for the central valley. Their story has completed its first successful chapter, and Stockton looks to continue follow this inspirational story next season.
Story, Photos by Dan Rogers
