Emiliano bravo (17) attempts to get the ball back from a Galena defender Wednesday night at Carson High.
Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage
There wasn’t much that didn’t happen between Carson High boys’ soccer and Galena Wednesday night.
The Grizzlies bested the Senators, 3-2, on a free kick goal in the 73rd minute, which brought a close to Carson’s season.
The loss also ended the tenure of Senator head coach Frank Martinez, who said earlier this week he was retiring at the season’s end.
It was a disappointing end to his time with the Senators as the game got out of control in the second half, but the significance of the contest weighed on the head coach well before kickoff.
“It’s a lot of emotions. I was bawling earlier. I want to take some time off to take care of my dad and do other things, but at times I was like, should I,” questioned Martinez? “It’s tough. I’ve been coming here for more than eight years. Even driving here tonight was tough.”
Carson ends the year with a record of 4-9-3 and will be the only team under Martinez’s tenure to not qualify for the postseason.
Carrillo hits highlight goal
To open up the scoring on the evening, senior Luis Carrillo scored arguably the finest goal of the season for the Senators.
A lofted ball took one hop to the senior, who popped it up with his head before leaving his feet and putting a bicycle kick into the far, top corner.
The goal put Carson up 1-0, but Galena scored the next two tallies to make it 2-1 Grizzlies.
Carson’s Josue Rivas was stretched off in the first half after being landed on by a Galena player, which may have added to the emotions of the players on the field.
“He’s one of my favorite kids too. We were all worried about him and he will probably be fine, but he is one of our key defenders,” said Martinez.
As the game got more physical in the second half, the Senators got rowdy – as did the fans in attendance.
Carson took several yellows and Carillo was later ejected after picking up a second yellow card on an unnecessary foul.
The Senators went to a backup goalie after keeper Rene Gonzalez took a yellow card as well.
Carson tied the game at 2-2 when Miguel Vargas took advantage of a collision between a Grizzly defender and goalie, slotting a goal into the empty net.
However, in the 73rd minute, Galena put in the final score on a free kick from about 23 yards out.
Though he said it was unfortunate, Martinez noted that the Senators could have ended up with other red cards.
“He could have given us other reds too. It wasn’t just the ref,” said Martinez. “I was trying to calm them down. These guys were getting rowdy. Our crowd was getting rowdy. It was tough. … At least we gave the crowd a heck of a game. It wasn’t a mellow game.”
An emotional goodbye
After eight years with the program, Martinez was honored along with his nine seniors.
Assistant coach Jorge Ortiz, who spent 10 years with the Senators, was also honored pregame, as he will be retiring as well.
“Other than church, this is my life. I don’t know if there is anyone with a passion for soccer like me,” said Martinez. “I eat, breathe and sleep soccer. I’ve never missed a practice, I’ve never missed a game and it’s going to be tough.”
Players from year’s past showed up in attendance to tell Martinez what he has meant to them.
Even freshmen shed tears as their state championship winning coach departed.
“I’ve known most of these kids since they were probably five or six. They are family. I wish that we would have won, just for them,” Martinez said. “They tried their hearts out.”
Even though he wasn’t a graduate from Carson High, Martinez said his time in blue and white has meant everything to him.
“It’s awesome to be a part of Carson High. … We have three stars for a reason. We have won the most state championships in the North. I’m very proud of that and I’m proud that I was a part of it. … Carson High has my heart. I went to Whittell, but I bleed blue now for sure.”
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