“After one of the best seasons that Oak Harbor girls soccer has seen in a long time, the Wildcats were literally kicked out the State post-season playoff picture with a controversial loss to Tacoma’s Curtis High School on Tuesday evening, 3-2 . More accurately, goal keeper Abby Busic was knocked out of the game when she was kicked in the throat by an opposing players foot while trying to block a shot. The shot, which started out as a 16 yard kick, was first deflected by Busic and then attempted again at close range. The blow took Busic out of the game with less than 30 seconds remaining. (She has since recovered and was fine by press time Friday.) A controversial call by the referee gave Curtis what ended up being the game-winning penalty kick.Oak Harbor head coach Guy Barber said he had no idea why Curtis was awarded the penalty kick, because the referee never explained it.The ref took the girls out of the game, said Barber. In my opinion he made the wrong call. I know that reffing is tough, but I have refed enough to know that you don’t take it out of the kids’ hands. Barber refrained from running onto the field to argue the call, as he was more concerned about his fallen player and knew it wouldn’t do any good.He told me, ‘We are bringing in the paramedics,’ said Barber. I didn’t want to talk to the ref at that point. I knew if I would have stepped onto the field without being asked I would have gotten a card. The penalty kick was very emotional as a visibly shook up freshman goal keeper, Tina Nicholas, entered the game to try to defend against the game-winning goal.I told her whatever you do it doesn’t matter, said Barber to his distraught goal keeper. What has happened has happened. I told her to dance around and if she picked up her right foot to move to the right. She did it perfect but the ball touched off her finger tips and went in. According to Barber, after the game Curtis’ head coach told him that the best team doesn’t always win, and their assistant head coach told Barber that he agreed with his objection to the penalty. We got a lot of nice compliments from people rooting for Curtis, said Barber. The Wildcats had a chance to tie with only 10 seconds left on the clock but a corner kick sailed wide of the goal as the time expired. Busic was checked out by emergencey physicians for a half hour following her injury and lost consciousness numerous times. The Wildcats’ goal keeper never had to leave the stadium and went home that night.It kind of sours me a little bit, but it all equals out, said Barber about the call. I guess you have to have a little luck of the Irish along with the skills on the field. Oak Harbor had the skills on the field for most of the game. The Wildcats had 19 shots on goal while Curtis could only manage 10. The first half was dominated by the Cats, although the score was 1-1 at the half. Oak Harbor scored their second goal of the game with 14 minutes left in regulation, but their opponents would not give up as they tied the game on a long shot that hit the V of the cross bars and ricocheted into the net with only two minutes remaining. The girls dominated play, said Barber. We had two great breakaways, but sometimes things just don’t fall your way. Brooke Severns continued to be one of the brightest spots this season, along with hopes for the next two seasons, as the sophomore scored both goals for the Wildcats.Brooke is doing really well, said Barber. I am very pleased with her performance this year. With the success of Severns, Barber is looking to her to do what she has done all season in leading by example with her dominating play. The coach says that he will also be looking toward Katy Nydam and Theresa Black to take over some of the leadership roles of the team.Barber says that he is pleased with the success of the team this year and he is looking forward to next season with the girls. “