Northampton’s Sebastian Mello knew it could be his last high school game.

So, the senior played with unbound enthusiasm, and he also found himself in some gratifying situations.

Mello scored both goals for Northampton, but it wasn’t enough as the Konkrete Kids lost in penalty kicks (2-2, 3-2) to Parkland in the recent District 11 Class 6A championship game.

Mello scored on a penalty kick, and also on a free kick for the Kids, who finished their season with an overall 17-5 mark and sought their first district championship.

“We went into the game with strategies in place but knew it was going to be a tough game,” recalled Mello, who had 16 goals and 20 assists this past season. “I had the thought that it could be my last game playing for Northampton so I wanted to give my best.

“We got the call for the penalty kick and I felt confident that I would be successful and luckily I was. It energized us but then the red card really pushed us to give more. That free kick was unexpected, and I just wanted to do my part to get another goal. When it went in, I think everyone was surprised.

“We really wanted to win. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out, but all the guys played really well.”

Parkland jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Kids’ head coach Chris Bastidas had faith his team would bounce back.

“They played with passion and intensity all season,” exclaimed Bastidas. “There wasn’t any doubt in them when they were down 2-0. They knew they could come back. We knew we had to keep the pressure on them, and it didn’t help that we had a player get a red card. That was a crazy decision by the referee.

“Sebastian is one of the best players in the league, and he just kept working. They all fed off each other and tied it up.”

On penalty kicks, Parkland (22-2) converted three of its four attempts, while the Kids had one.

“We worked on penalty kicks all season,” added Bastidas. “We knew we could rise for the occasion, and we would be ready for it. We just couldn’t capitalize on it.”

Fellow senior Brody Eisenhart expected his team to make a title run. He also enjoyed being part of a great team chemistry.

“I knew from the start that this team would go far but I never knew we would make history,” said Eisenhart, who had 22 goals and 10 assists. “Some players this season stepped up in the big games.

“The officiating of the game was confusing me the whole time because I couldn’t tell who they liked more. We would get a call then Parkland would get a call, so trying to play through that was definitely another challenge.

“The overall season was something that everyone should be proud of. As it was my senior year I wouldn’t have wanted to go out on any other team this one was family, we all played as a family and played for each other. Our team saying was “team before self,” and the whole season represents that to the fullest. The coaches were outstanding as they always have been. But it has definitely been a ride of a lifetime while representing Northampton.”

The Kids will lose seven seniors this season and they lost 10 seniors from last season’s 19-3-1 team.

Bastidas expected his team to be around the .500 mark this season, and they were a pleasant surprise. Now, Bastidas, who finished his third season, will work to keep his program intact. Sophomore goalie Ryan Nahf, who had 64 saves, will be back in the nets next season.

“We didn’t expect a season like this will all the seniors we lost,” said Bastidas. “Eisenhart and Chase Nederostek (21 goals, eight assists) both were consistent goal scorers, and they could pressure all over the field. Ryan Nahf really grew as a goalie this season, and he will be a big part of our program. This season was crazy and incredible. We brought our JV guys along to a lot of games, and that will help them for next year.

“We want to keep this going. We have been in the district playoffs the last three years. We’re excited to see who will step up next season.”