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Panthers win soccer crown
A goal by Michael Robards in the second overtime period of the championship game started the Los Gatos Panthers on the road to a thrilling victory over the Walnut Creek Force in the finals of the Mt. Diablo Classic Soccer Tournament.
Thanks to the goal by Robards, the Panthers, a boys under-14 Class 3 team from the Los Gatos United Soccer League, advanced to a shootout and outshot Walnut Creek 2-0 to clinch the title.
The clubs had played to a scoreless tie through regulation, but the Force broke the tie with a goal in the first overtime session. With three minutes remaining in the second overtime, though, Robards headed home a crossing shot by Mark Weiner to tie the game and send it to the shootout.
Goalkeeper Brad Bingham stopped four Walnut Creek shots, while Weiner and Brian Watson each knocked in goals in the shootout to give the Panthers the exciting win.
The Panthers had beaten the Castro Valley Xpress 3-0, the Folsom Storm 2-1 and Tracy United 2-0 to advance to the championship game.
Robards scored three goals in the tournament, and Watson and Tom Bingham drilled two apiece. Weiner, Tom Morrissey and Courtney Roberts also scored goals for the champs.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
