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Sickles, Freedom Fall Short Of Semifinal Berths

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By MATTHEW POSTINS Tribune correspondent

Published: January 5, 2008

TAMPA - Sickles' boys soccer team notched a big milestone as a program and Freedom advanced to bracket play on Friday during simultaneous shootouts at the 14th annual Soccer Field High School Soccer Invitational on Friday at the Ed Radice Sports Complex.

Sickles pushed Fernandina Beach, a Class 4A state finalist from a year ago, to a shootout in its final pool-play contest in the Elite Bracket. The Gryphons lost, 3-2, falling 4-3 in the shootout.

Sickles had come from two goals down with two second-half goals - Josh Bissen's penalty kick and Kahleel Forde's header, thrilling its crowd to put Fernandina Beach on its heels.

"It showed to me today that no coach can coach desire and heart," Sickles coach Tony Calvo said. "They did that today."

The Gryphons (5-6-4) lost when Fernandina Beach's Conor Hammond's shootout attempt hit the crossbar and caromed to the ground just inside the goal line.

Sickles will play American Heritage in the Elite fifth-place semifinal at 10 a.m.

Freedom and River Ridge, playing for second place in Pool 2 in the Premier Bracket, played to a scoreless tie in regulation, forcing a shootout. Freedom scored on all five attempts, and River Ridge stayed with the Patriots (12-3) until its fourth attempt when Blake Monaghan's shot sailed over the goal.

Both teams had players miss the contest due to injury or vacation.

"We struggled," Freedom coach Dennis Derflinger said. "This is the first time we've played in a tournament like this. We had kids at the club tournament Sun Bowl and they played a lot of games last week. We were down significantly."

The Patriots will face Alonso in the Premier fifth-place semifinal at 10 a.m.

Tampa Prep, Gaither and Jesuit all advanced to the championship semifinals out of pool play. The Terrapins defeated American Heritage, 2-1, in a shootout to emerge from Elite Pool 1 undefeated. Meanwhile, Jesuit took care of Edgewater, 3-0, to sweep Pool 4.

Tampa Prep plays Fernandina Beach at 1 p.m., while Jesuit faces Melbourne at 1 p.m.

Gaither defeated Bishop Moore, 4-0, to complete an undefeated run in Premier Pool 3. The Cowboys did not allow a goal during pool play. Darnell King scored twice for the Cowboys, while Zachary Wheeler and Ryan Foerstner each scored a goal.

The Cowboys face Land O' Lakes, the Pool 4 winner, at 11 a.m. today. Berkeley Prep failed to advance out of Premier Pool 4 after a 2-1 loss to Gulf Breeze.

The Premier championship match is at 5 p.m. today, while the Elite championship match is at 7 p.m.

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