PREP BOYS SOCCER: Titans grab title in penalty kicks

By SCOTT BAIR - Staff Writer | Saturday, March 1, 2008 10:55 PM PST

EL CAJON ---- Gene Morris simply couldn't watch. Poway High's boys soccer coach found solace in an empty stretch of turf far away from the drama building at the other end.

A San Diego Section Division I championship was to be decided on penalty kicks between the Titans and San Diego, an anxiety-inducing endeavor involving equal parts luck and skill. Back and forth Morris paced, unable to help his players any further.

A goal was the only missing component to 95 minutes of expertly played soccer from both sides. There was high drama, scoring chances aplenty and excellent goalkeeper play throughout a match that had to be resolved in a way disdained by soccer purists.

The teams exchanged penalty kicks for four rounds, but Titans keeper Ian Weinberg broke that trend in the fifth. He blocked San Diego's attempt, the deciding play in a match Poway won 5-4 on penalty kicks on Saturday evening at Valhalla High.

"It's a shame that it had to end this way, but it doesn't make winning any less enjoyable," said Morris, drenched from a celebratory watercooler shower. "I'm won so much at the club level, but nothing compares to this. I couldn't be more proud of these kids and all they've accomplished."

Morris brought the team together after the awards ceremony for a quick talk.

"I've got some great news," Morris said. "We have practice on Monday."

The Titans (20-2-4) will carry on after earning an automatic bid into the CIF Southern California Regional Tournament, which begins on Tuesday. The Titans' opponent and seed will be decided this afternoon.

They're in the regional championship thanks to a defense that once again proved impenetrable. The San Diego Section's finest back line stood tall under pressure, shutting down a Cavers offense predicated on speed and counter attacks. San Diego (17-3-1) only took three shots in the second half and Weinberg only had to make two saves in the entire match.

Weinberg wasn't called upon often, but he came through when it mattered most.

The senior made a big-time stop in the shootout, an effort validated by a clutch penalty kick, ironically enough, by a player with the initials "P.K." Peter Katakalidis was the fifth and final shooter, with a section title weighing on his performance.

"I really tried to block everything out," he said. "I didn't want to think about the situation or what was at stake. I tried to keep it simple and focus on the kick itself."

Katakalidis did just that, confidently driving it into the lower left corner.

That sent Poway's side into hysterics as Poway's first title since 1994 truly sunk in.

"This is just incredible," Poway stopper Gunnar Emery said. "This was the biggest game of our lives and we won it. This is unlike anything I've ever experienced. It's a moment I'll never forget."