Lincoln defeats Adams

Chris Yemma

Carter Keddington and Andy Doka had tasted the bitterness of defeat

before.

It was Adams Elementary that had knocked their team off last year

in the semifinals of the Daily Pilot Cup.

So it was no surprise this time around, being the only two

returners to the Lincoln third- and fourth-grade boys soccer team,

they would be game breakers.

Keddington scored three goals while Doka had three assists to help

lead Lincoln to a 4-3 Gold Division victory in the opening round of

pool play Tuesday at Costa Mesa Farm Complex.

“It felt pretty good,” Keddington said. “I don’t think they were

as good, but I went in there and played my best.”

Said Doka: “Last year they blew us out and this was a good game.”

The game went from a 1-1 tie in the first half -- a 15-minute

abbreviated half due to a late start -- to a shootout in the second

half, with both teams combining for five goals.

It was Keddington, though, who broke open a 2-2 ballgame with a

shot from the left side in the 19th minute of the second half. And it

was Keddington who provided what proved to be a mandatory cushion

after scoring in the 26th minute (second half) to give Lincoln a 4-2

advantage.

“It’s always nice to get a win,” Lincoln Coach Alex Francini said.

“This builds a lot of confidence for the kids.”

Max Condon, assisted by Ryan Udkoff, broke a 1-1 tie with a goal

for Lincoln in the opening minutes of the second half. Other Lincoln

contributors included Eli Kiani, Zach Fox, Jihoon Jung and Campbell

Woods. Leading Adams were Devon Brady, John Escobar and Salas, all

with a goal apiece.