“A number eight seed can not beat a number one seed.” Don’t tell that to the Paint Branch boy’s soccer team, who on November 1, 2005 upset the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Barons in the quarterfinals, 2 -1 in overtime.

After suffering a stretch of ten consecutive losses in the regular season, the Panthers have themselves a two game winning streak heading into their Maryland 3A Regional Semifinals match against Tuscarora.

The Barons demonstrated their superior ability as a team by controlling the ball for most of the first half. The only sign of offense for Paint Branch came off the left foot of senior Reuel Tizabi, who had two powerful shots from outside the box turned away by the Barons goalkeeper.

The Paint Branch defense held off numerous offensive attacks by BCC in large part because of solid defensive play and six saves by sophomore goalkeeper Michael Brown. However in the 38th minute, a simple lob pass over the Junior Justin Lambert’s head and an excellent finish by BCC, left the Panthers with a one-goal deficit heading into the half.

The two teams that took the field in the second half looked completely different than the two teams that took the field in the first half. The Panthers attacked on a consistent basis and held the Barons from advancing past mid-field for most of the half.

In the 48th minute, Junior Captain Thomas Flechsig found himself in open space after receiving a pass from Sophomore Burak Gundogan inside the penalty box but his shot was blocked by a BCC defender. A minute later, Gundogan attacked down the right flank again and again he sent a great pass into the penalty box, this time to Junior Justin Bean. Bean’s initial shot was blocked, but his second effort would not be denied as the equalizer sailed over the Baron’s goalkeeper.

In the 52nd minute, Bean had a chance to put the Panthers ahead but was denied. A minute later, Tizabi fancy footwork left him inside the Baron’s penalty box, but his shot was deflected.

Five minutes later, Brown made a fantastic save to keep the score even.

The last ten minutes consisted of frantic play by both squads looking for the golden goal. With time running out in regulation, the Barons found themselves on a one-on-one breakaway against Brown but missed the opportunity to go ahead, when the shot sailed over the crossbar. Regulation time ended tied 1-1.

During the short intermission, the visiting Paint Branch crowd chanted “Let’s go Paint Branch” to give their players much needed energy. Seven minutes into overtime Junior Jung Woo was taken down from behind inside the penalty box by a BCC defender. The referee awarded Paint Branch a penalty shot, which was taken by Flechsig, who blasted the shot in the lower left corner to give the Panthers the upset win over the Barons.