Bulldogs upset in first round of state

Soccer season came to a premature end last week for the second seeded Douglas Bulldogs who were upset 2-0 by the 15th seeded Amphi Panthers in the first round of the 4A state playoffs played at Douglas High School.

The Bulldogs went into the game without the services of senior captain Antonio Orduna, who is known for his acrobatic throw-ins. Douglas’ Coach Ken Cormier said Orduna was not playing for what is being called an “administrative decision.”

As a result of Orduna’s absence, Coach Cormier made some defensive adjustments moving several players around.

Amphi needed just six minutes to take advantage of the adjustments as senior Alan Gomez scored giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead which they would carry to the break.

The Bulldogs came out the second half and put together a series of offensive attacks only to have Amphi goalie Pedro Estuillo block them . Estuillo would finish the night with six saves in the box while Bulldog goalie Marc Gonzalez would have three as Douglas out shot Amphi 11-9.

Amphi sealed the win with a goal by Gomez in the 68th minute handing Douglas its first loss of the season.

“We didn’t play very well for the most part against Amphi,” Coach Cormier said after the loss. “I believe that the players put too much pressure on themselves, each trying to make up for the difference of not having Antonio (Orduna) on the field.”

The coach said he feels his players tried too hard and that the 20 minute late start didn’t help either.

“Once we settled in we battled hard right to the very end,” he said. “You don’t have an undefeated season without a great group of kids and these guys worked hard and did their best at every practice session and at every game this entire season. This team was as good as any soccer team I’ve ever coached and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

The Bulldogs end the season 11-1-1. Amphi would go on to lose three days later in the quarterfinals falling 4-3 to Palo Verde after being outshot 3-1 on penalty kicks.

The awards banquet for the Bulldogs will on Friday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Douglas Visitor’s Center.