Rio Mesa Overtime Loss Apparently Meant to Be

OXNARD — It wasn’t until fate stepped directly onto the field that the Lakewood High boys’ soccer team began to believe in it.

It came in the first 10-minute overtime of Lakewood’s 3-2 Southern Section Division II playoff victory over Rio Mesa (12-8-5) Tuesday. One Rio Mesa shot banked off the left goal post, then seconds later, another shot ricocheted off the right post, and Lakewood Co-Coach Tom Miller turned to his wide-eyed bench.

“Maybe we’re supposed to win this game,” he told them.

Maybe he was right. Kevin Hamilton’s goal on a rebound in sudden-death overtime sent Lakewood (14-7-2) into the quarterfinals.

The Lancers fought back from a two-goal deficit in the final 10 minutes of regulation.

Hamilton’s goal came after more than 100 minutes of emotional play.

“That was the result of heart,” Miller said. “You have to hand it to the kids--they never quit.”