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Perez Leads Ravens To Win

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By NICHOLAS J.E. MURRAY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 27, 2007

TAMPA: Julio Perez had a goal and two assists as Alonso came back from a goal down to hand Gaither its first loss of the season with a 4-1 win at Gaither Stadium on Tuesday night.

Ravens' striker Perez was outstanding in an exciting contest that saw end-to-end action at times, as he used his pace and skill to unnerve the Cowboys defenders until he was lifted late.

"He's a special player," Alonso coach Ray DiPompo said. "He's dangerous, he makes things happen, the other players around him, he creates them chances. They've very much aware of him, and we know that, but he's being double-teamed and he's finding ways to slot balls through."

Both teams had chances to open the scoring early, with Perez finding time and space to run at the Cowboys defense and cause problems. Perez had a snap-shot from the right go close, and set up a good chance for Simon Gomez only for the midfielder to shoot wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Gaither (7-1-1) was causing problems with its speed also, with Alonso goalkeeper Nick Hall diving to take a low cross from the right in the 19th minute. The Cowboys were finding space on the wings, and it led to the opening goal in the 22nd minute as Zach Wheeler's cross from the right found Darnell King, who beat Hall to the near-post to shoot home.

Gaither's lead was short-lived, however, as the Ravens (7-1-2) answered four minutes later after a similar run down the right by Tristan Velez. Velez's cross was met by David Cobb, but he failed to clear, allowing Tom Turke to score from 6 yards out.

Gaither had chances to retake the lead as Richard Kerster shot over from 10 yards out and King was well denied by Hall after a through-ball by Wheeler. But Alonso took the lead in first half stoppage time as Chase Faulmann scored from 12 yards out after a shot by Perez was only parried by Gaither goalkeeper John Nardozzi.

"That second goal was huge," DiPompo said. "We just kept playing, and our kids, what can you say? They did a good job."

Perez nearly added to the lead with a spectacular effort just after halftime after a free kick was only partially cleared from the Cowboy's penalty area. Perez elevated for a well struck bicycle kick, but it was turned aside by Nardozzi. But the Ravens weren't to be denied for long, as Gomez scored their third 15 minutes into the second half.

Gaither coach Eric Sims thought his team didn't get into a good rhythm, and at times played into Alonso's hands.

"Darnell King worked hard, and caused some problems for them," Sims said. "But I just don't think we got into a rhythm, especially in the second half. We got into more playing their type of game, and we didn't try to knock the ball around as much.

"They pretty much dominated every part of the second half, but they're a good team."

Perez added his name to the score sheet with five minutes to go, as Nardozzi was unable to handle a fierce shot from 15 yards out, the ball spinning off the goalkeeper's shoulder into the net.

"It was fitting he got the final goal, he deserved that," DiPompo said. "Credit to Gaither, they were without two of their big guns, so that wasn't the true Gaither team, but I was proud of our kids."

The Cowboys were without standout forward Brendan Howard, who was injured in the Cowboys 2-1 win against Neptune Beach Fletcher in the Puma Challenge final, suffering a swollen right ankle. Howard, who leads the Cowboys with seven goals and six assists, said he should know the extent of his injury by the end of the week. He was joined on the sideline by Steven Tobon, who was out with a pulled hamstring.

Sims said he didn't think the presence of either player would have made a difference in the final result.

"Missing a goalscorer like that is always tough," Sims said of Howard's absence. "But we had some guys step up tonight and show they deserve to play. Missing Steven Tobon is tough, but I don't think having those guys there, I don't think it wins us the game."

Alonso is now 3-0 in Class 6A-District 7, and faces games against Countryside and Sickles in the next week. Wins in both would seal the No.1 seed in the district tournament. Gaither is still in line for the No.2 seed, but will face Sickles on Friday and Mitchell next week, both tough teams.

"We've got two more games, we've just got to play the way we do tonight we'll be alright," DiPompo said. "We've got to play every game because all these teams can play. We've got Countryside and Sickles, and they're both good teams."

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