East Boston claims the crown

EAST BOSTON 1, MADISON PARK 0

When MP players kick to referee, game called
By Michael Grossi, Globe Correspondent | November 5, 2009


East Boston 1
Madison Park 0


With 4:30 left in regulation in yesterday’s East Boston-Madison Park boys’ soccer game at White Stadium in Franklin Park for the Boston City League title, referee Savas Trellopoulos blew his whistle, signaling a handball in the goalie box by a Madison Park player.

East Boston sent its best player, Carlos Andres Ruiz, to take the penalty shot. His shot nicked off the hands of Cardinals goalie Beithoven Baesa and into the back of the net, giving the Jets a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals were set to kick off after the goal, but suddenly a fracas broke out.

The Madison Park players loudly disagreed with Trellopoulos’s call. They began to shout and gesture at the referee and coaches and police officers were needed to restrain some of them. While Trellopoulos was walking over to the sideline, Venude Depina threw the ball and hit him in the back of the head.

The game was stopped for more than five minutes while officials attempted to restore order. After the dust had settled, Trellopoulos called the game, giving East Boston the win.

“It was a really good, even game by both teams,’’ said Jets coach Lorenzo DiBenedetto. “When the score is 0-0 something is going to happen. We got a call that was good for us, and for [Madison Park] it wasn’t. The game shouldn’t have ended like that. They should have had more class, especially in the city championship.’’

“I wish the refs didn’t have to take [the game] away from them,’’ said Madison Park coach Joao Gomes. “If it was just that one call I would be OK, but the referees’ calls were inconsistent.’’

Before the incident, the teams had played a clean, back-and-forth match.

Each side had its share of chances. East Boston had a great bid in the 47th minute. With a wall of Cardinals blocking Ruiz’s free kick, the sophomore slid a pass to Anderson Gaviria, who rocketed the ball into Baesa’s stomach.

“We created a lot of opportunities in the second half but we couldn’t finish,’’ said DiBenedetto. “We weren’t on today.’’

The Cardinals also had opportunities. Luis Tavares lofted a free kick across the goalie box toward Arlindo Depina. Depina put too much mustard on the ball and chipped it over the crossbar.

Both teams’ goalies kept them in the game. Baesa had good looks at shots and recorded more than 10 saves. East Boston’s Jorge Benitez wasn’t called on as often but made the stops when it counted.