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Sports

Parkview Upsets Milton in PKs

Panthers advance behind the play of defense and GK Jack Falle.

Parkview boys soccer defeated Milton by an official score of 1-0 after winning in penalties Friday in a first-round Class AAAAA playoff game that needed two nights to complete. 

The Panthers, the fourth-seeded team from Region 8-AAAAA, won a defensive battle over the Eagles, the No. 1 seed from Region 6-AAAAA, in an upset that gave the Gwinnett County region a first-round sweep. Berkmar, Brookwood and Dacula all advanced with Wednesday wins.

Parkview'’s Jack Falle had one of the game's most important plays in the first half, and it came Wednesday night, before severe weather suspended the game with the score tied 0-0.

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Falle's first-half diving save in the upper right corner of the goal stopped what looked to be a sure Milton goal. Milton’s Mo Jadama shot the ball with power and curve that was all but in when Falle dove with his body completely parallel to the ground and an outstretched hand to make the spectacular save. 

Parkview dominated possession and chances in the first half but was unable to score.

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Milton’s goalkeeper, Austin Jones made spectacular stops against Parkview’s Jonathan Jarrett, Zachary Welch and CJ Ciarlante.

The half ended 0-0.

Milton's keeper saved his teammate from an embarrassing gaffe in the second half. A Milton defender headed a cross back for his keeper to catch. But in a case of miscommunication, the goalie came out of his position and was forced to scramble back to save the ball right on the white goal line painted on Milton's artificial turf.

Milton threatened Parkview with 10 minutes to go. The Eagles were gaining momentum, each time down the field inching closer to the goal. Just as the Eagles were pressuring to score, the referees called a delay in the game due to the weather.

The skies over Milton were flashing dangerous streaks of lightning with six minutes left in the game. It was a smart decision by the referees with a deadly storm approaching the Atlanta area. The game was stopped and scheduled to restart Friday at 5 p.m.

Friday night, Milton and Parkview remained defensive in the remaining six minutes of the game. Both teams remained cautious in order to ensure the draw at end of regulation, with the score 0-0.

Falle’s impressive performance continued on Friday. He made more than one save in overtime to keep the game tied. Parkview’s Jose Diaz and Abel Nguyen held the defensive line to help Falle keep the clean sheet.

On one attack down the field, the Eagles strung six consecutive passes to get deep into Parkview’s territory. Milton crossed the ball and Falle was again forced to come off his line and made a diving save.

Penalties would be the deciding factor with overtime ending 0-0.

"We came into this game as underdogs," Parkview's Andree Duenas said, "but we fought hard to take the game to penalties against a good team."

Falle stopped Milton’s second penalty by diving to his right and catching the kick.

The penalties were tied at 3-3 when Falle blocked another shot by sliding feet first down the middle of the goal to give Parkview the chance to win.

Duenas was the last penalty-taker for Parkview without having played a single minute on the field. He slotted the game-winning ball to the right netting of the goal.

Duenas said of his game-winning penalty kick, "I did what I had to do and it feels great to perform in a clutch moment for my team."

Parkview continue to play a dangerous game of deciding the outcome by penalties. This is the Panthers' third game in a row going to penalties.

"I think we have our opportunities to put the game away in regulation, we just have to finish," Duenas said. "Because regardless of this win, penalties could go either way and we must finish our chances between kick off and the final whistle."

With this win Parkview has proven that even as fourth seed in Region 8 it is a dangerous team.

Parkview will travel Wednesday, May 4, to face Wheeler, the third-place team from Region 5.

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