HE admits he was "scared", but South Wagga Public School's Gilbert Ruwald produced the penalty shootout save which ensured his team retained the Sydney FC Cup with a dramatic final win over Mater Dei Primary School on Monday.
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With scores deadlocked at 2-all after extra time the trophy was decided by a shootout, with co-captain Ruwald putting his hand up for goalkeeping duties.
His save on the sixth spot kick sealed the win, ensuring South Wagga has won the title in all three years since the competition's inception.
"(I had) no experience in goalkeeping. I was so scared, I really didn't want to let it in," Ruwald said.
"It feels good and I'm proud for South Wagga."
Mater Dei took an early lead through a Charlie Doherty header, but South Wagga equalised with eight minutes left in regular time through Sunny Martens.
Otis Irvin scored early in extra time to regain the lead for South Wagga, but Doherty found an equaliser.
South Wagga coach Duncan Brodie said the competition gives students an avenue to play competitively.
"Soccer's really been building in our school for five years, it's been a football (Australian Rules) school for a long time," he said.
"It is really important they get that experience because dealing with pressure is part of sport, and dealing with a loss or a win."
"Mater Dei always puts up a huge fight and full credit to them, but it is nice to have just our name on that trophy."
Mater Dei secured back-to-back wins in the girls competition with a dominant 3-0 final win over South Wagga.
An early goal from Annabella Hood and a penalty from Alethea Levy just before halftime gave them a 2-0 lead at the break, before Chloe Kochanski locked up the win with a second half strike.
"We have a strong side with a couple of NPL players and a couple of SAP players. South Wagga played well too," Mater Dei coach Kylie Levy said.
"The competition's amazing, you can see the strength of the girls side coming through the schools and the development programs.
"Being a regional centre we're really creating some great soccer players at the moment which is exciting. The pathways that have opened up are incredible and they don't have to go to Canberra or Sydney now at a young age."
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