AURORA, Colo.—Colorado High School Activities Association on Thursday upheld a call that drew strong protests from Mullen after it led to Broomfield’s overtime goal and the 4A high school soccer title.
Referees Wednesday awarded Broomfield an indirect free kick after a Mullen player went down. Gabe Whitney, Broomfield’s free-kick specialist, kicked the ball from where the ball was placed on the sideline toward the middle of the field and Cole Chapleski headed it past Mullen goal keeper Phil Rendell.
CHSAA officials said referees correctly followed the National Federation of State High School Associations rules for soccer. The rules state that after play is suspended for an injury or any unusual situation, the team clearly in possession of the ball restarts play with an indirect kick.
“The officials made the right call,” CHSAA assistant commissioner Chuck Howell, state administrator for soccer, said in a statement. “Broomfield was clearly in possession of the ball when the officials suspended play for medical personnel to attend to an injured Mullen player.”
CHSAA said it issued a statement reaffirming the call because of “the perceived controversy” of the call.
