Suspected-Point Shaving at Northwest Soccer Field

Unconfirmed reports by credible sources indicate potential point shaving at Northwest Soccer Complex in Whatcom County on Saturday. A U6 soccer team (which means 5 year olds), coached by Jim Zurcher, continue to dominate their opponents, with Cooper Whipple leading all scoring and assists  this season.  However, on this day, after scoring 5 rapid goals, Cooper Whipple appeared to be charging down the field for his 6th goal of the match.  There was no defender to block him, nor any other obstacle.  With only inches left for the ball to travel in to the net, Cooper appeared to stop, looked behind him, then kicked the ball.....BACKWARDS.  Coach Jim Zurcher turned towards Whipple's parents, a look of confusion on his face.  Meanwhile, the rest of the team players were just then getting down to the field of play, having been caught up playing ring-around-the-rosie in the grass downfield.  On the next play, Whipple again stole the ball and charged down the field.  With no defender around him, he raced towards the goal.  Again, with only inches left, he stopped, then kicked the ball off to the side of the field, effectively stopping the game and giving the other team the ball.  Coach Zurcher, standing midfield, threw up his hands and looked towards Whipple's parents.
When later questioned, Thomas Whipple admitted that earlier in the day, when his mother (Mrs. Whipple) mentioned a challenge involving a candy bar, he'd chosen the number 5 for the amount of goals he thought Whipple would score today.  With 5 goals scored already, Whipple and his brother, Thomas, agreed the younger Whipple would not score again, which would account for the almost unheard of backward and lateral passes inches from the net.  Cooper Whipple would not comment for this report, saying only, "Tommy lied to me," in a whining voice.  Thomas Whipple did not comment, though a sneaky grin from the sidelines told the true tale.  Mrs. Whipple ate the offending chocolate bar, vowing to never play with her sons again.