The moment

In the world of sports photography there are two differing camps on what makes the best photo from a sports event.  One group says the best photo is the one that has the most dramatic content-the best peak action or emotion.  The other thought of the best sports photograph is the one one image that captures that one key play of the game, the defining moment.  This photo is a pretty good example of the latter.  Not only does it sum up the game it is a defining moment of the season.  All season led up to this one moment.

The Millennium High Falcons soccer team played the Sacramento Country Day Cavaliers for the Division VII soccer title this morning in Elk Grove.  After two scoreless 40-minute regulations sessions and two 10-minute overtime periods the game would be decided on penalty kicks.  Each team would get five attempts and the best score would decide the season's champion.  On the third kick from Sacramento Country Day Millennium goalie Daniel Yanez dove to his left and blocked the shot sending it bouncing back away from the net.  The Millennium players including Yanez would score on all five of their kicks to give Millennium 5-3 win for the section title.  The block by Yanez would prove to the difference for the Falcons and their first ever section title in any sport for the school.

The  picture may not have the most dramatic action but it certainly has captured the play of the day and the season and is a moment worth remembering.