Question Number: 12785

Kicks From The Penalty mark 5/13/2006

RE: High School Varsity Under 17

Emily Clevenger of Weaverville, NC United States of America asks...

Last Wednesday at a playoff game, the game was nil-nil all the way until we had a PK shootout. The other team was first to kick on us, and the ball hit the crossbar and rebounded straight down on the line, where the goalie hit it out. Our team began cheering as the next player set up, and the ref DID NOT signal a goal. However, at the end of the shootout the score was then 2-2, and we began setting up the next shootout. That was when the ref protested, saying that he had called a goal on the first shot, and we had lost the game. We were very distraught, and I would like to know if this was a valid call or if the ref just wanted to get the game over with.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

Apparently the referee judged the first shot as a goal and was unclear in communicating that information to you and your team. I therefore see this as more of a communication issue than whether or not the call was "valid." The ref was there and made the judgement as to whether or not the first shot was a goal - a fact connected with play, if you will. I would hope, and am quite sure, that a referee that has advanced to a playoff level match would have more integrity than to "make up" a call just to get the game over with. All the best,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Sounds like your team and the ref were not on the same page. The referee should have done a better job communicating with you, but his decision was valid if he thought the first shot was a goal. As Always,

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Something like this should register someplace in the referee's brain. Usually when one side thinks they have scored more goals than another during Kicks From The Mark there is cheering, jumping around and general celebration. Absent this the referee should figure out something is amiss.

One wonders what went through this gent's gray matter?

Sorry,