Harvard-bound senior Kellee Kim kicked the game-winning goal for Sage Hill, an indirect free kick with 7:10 left.
The official blew the whistle for the kick, but there was some confusion because Sage Hill wasn’t sure if the kick was direct or indirect, and Coach Chino Cid was yelling at Kim not to touch the ball first.
The official blew the whistle again, and freshman Megan Kim ran forward for the first touch. As the wall of St. Margaret’s blockers diffused to defend her, Kellee had just enough of a hole to send the ball past goalkeeper Valerie Gilmore.
“You can’t give Kellee Kim a chance like that,” St. Margaret’s Coach Johnny Marmelstein said. “I’m not dumb. I mean, she’s the one going to Harvard, but I could figure that one out. Give Kellee Kim a chance like that and she’s going to bury you. She took advantage of the situation. But that’s soccer.”
The elder Kim stayed for a few moments of celebratory crying, hugging and shrieking before rushing off back to Newport Coast to assume her duties as assistant director of Sage Hill’s production of “Cinderella.” The musical opens Thursday night.
It was a fairy-tale win for the undersized Lightning, who had a special appearance from starting sophomore goalkeeper Hannah MacLeod.
MacLeod started suffering back spasms at the beginning of the season, which progressively worsened. She hadn’t practiced in two weeks, and only played in one game since Sage Hill tied the Tartans, 0-0, Jan. 14.
“Right now it’s actually killing me,” MacLeod said following the game. “All I wanted to do is win this game. I don’t care — we have a game [Thursday] — I’m not playing in that. All I wanted to do was play this game.”
