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5 County Teams Still Unbeaten At Soccer Invitational

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By BART O'CONNELL, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 4, 2008

TAMPA - With one day remaining until championship brackets are set, the Soccer Field Invitational is quickly turning into the Tampa Invitational.

Of the 31 teams invited to the prestigious tournament at Ed Radice Sports Complex, 10 remain unbeaten, and five of those - Alonso, Gaither, Jesuit, Sickles and Tampa Prep - are from the Bay area.

The Gryphons' journey to 2-0, in Pool 2 of the Elite Bracket, has been the most unexpected. They entered the tournament with a 3-5-4 record, but behind strong play from midfielder Josh Bissen, defenseman Gil Davis and goalkeeper Brandon Stout, beat Lake Mary 3-2 on Wednesday, and Lakewood Ranch 2-0 on Thursday to clinch at least a berth in Saturday's consolation bracket.

They must win their match today, against fellow unbeaten Fernandina Beach at 4 p.m., to advance to the Elite championship bracket. It's a familiar theme for many of the Tampa teams.

"I'm missing five starters. The majority of my players that have been playing in this tournament are sophomores and juniors, and they've got huge heart," said Sickles coach Tony Calvo. "Defense has been the key."

Alonso has yet to allow a goal in the tournament after defeating Jacksonville Bolles 1-0 in a Premier Bracket Pool 1 match. The lone goal was scored by Julio Perez.

The Ravens find themselves in a similar situation as Sickles, likely having to win today against Merritt Island to advance to the Premier championship bracket. Since Alonso has five points and a plus-1 goal differential, a loss to Merritt Island (currently with three points) would put them in jeopardy of finishing third in their pool.

Gaither set up a must-win against Orlando Bishop Moore tonight at 6, after beating the only other unbeaten in the Premier Bracket's Pool 3, Tallahassee Lincoln, 2-0 on Thursday. Seniors Darnell King and Brendan Howard scored goals.

Even Tampa Prep, a 4-0 winner Thursday against St. Petersburg, has work left to do to get to the championship bracket from Elite Pool 1. The Terrapins (15-0-1) face Plantation American Heritage (also 2-0 in the tournament) in a meeting of defending state champions at 2 p.m.

Land O' Lakes also is in position to make a return trip to the championship bracket from Premier Pool 4, having finished runner-up last year. The Gators rallied from a one-goal halftime deficit to beat Berkeley Prep 3-1, with goals from Sebastian Garcia and Tim Falcon. They play Sarasota for a championship bracket berth tonight at 8.

Keyword: Hillsborough Report for complete scores, standings and schedules.

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