It's Duck Season No Longer

A disappointed Andaloro and Cobb leave the field after the Duck's 1-0 defeat.

The Mighty Ducks began their playoff run with high hopes Monday night, but left the field with a heart-breaking 1-0 defeat to 9 Inch Nails.

The Mighty Ducks played one of their best games of the year, even playing most of the first half down a man. An injured Conor Milroy, a member of the coed team, played on an emergency basis for the Ducks, playing on two bad ankles. But the Mighty Ducks held their own and were tied 0-0 at the half.

"The team energy was terrific at the half," said Goalkeeper Dave Cobb, "we all felt like we could win this game. It was the best soccer we had played all season and we were down a man to start. With a full nine guys out there, we thought the second half would be ours."

Cobb did not face many shots in that first half, nor really any threats to the goal. There was one instance where he charged and blocked a bad angle shot. The rebound went back to the shooter, and he then played a ball into the box right to a 9 inch nail forward. Luckily for the Ducks, he couldn't finish, or even hit the ball in the general direction of the net. Cobb saved all three shots that got on target that half.

The second half was a different story for the Ducks. They had opportunities, but the 9 Inch Nails played better in the second half than the Mighty Ducks. Cobb faced more shots, but held strong. Until one unfortunate break...

A ball was played just outside the box to a 9 Inch Nail forward, defender Kevin Alderton made a play on the ball but couldn't maintain possession. Defender Josh Andaloro came over to help, and momentarily won the ball. He appeared to be tripped by the opposing forward, causing him to lose possession. No call was made.

"i tried to cut back the other way, when the other teams forward tripped me up which caused me to lose possession. I felt like it was a foul but no foul was called," said Andaloro when asked about the goal, "I should have just blasted the ball out of bounds."

Cobb came out to charge, but the forward was able to slip it just out of the reach of Cobb's hand, giving the 9 Inch Nails a 1-0 lead.

"I don't care what anyone says, if it was one-on-one or whatever, I didn't come out square and I wasn't in a good position to make the save and it's my fault," said a clearly frustrated Cobb after the game, "I should have made that save. Bottom line."

The Mighty Ducks had trouble recovering after that goal. They were not able to mount any real offensive opportunities. The ones they had they didn't capitalize.

The Mighty Ducks had one golden opportunity late. It came on a free kick from Duck forward Duncan McGuire. McGuire's free kick looked to be goal bound, but a nice save by the 9 Inch Nail keeper kept it from going top right corner. He fumbled with the ball after the save, but managed to keep it out.

"I couldn't believe I didn't score that," said McGuire, "I thought that was a goal for sure."

McGuire took a hard foul in this game

1-0 remained the final score, and the Ducks left disappointed. It was the best game they played all year, and they came up just a little short.

"Every player has a role, the forwards score, the midfielders control the ball, and the defenders win the ball. I'm the keeper, I have one role: Keep the damn ball out of the damn net. I didn't," said Cobb after the disappointing loss, "I feel like I let everyone down, and now our season's done."