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Jesuit Takes Elite Bracket Crown

By MATTHEW POSTINS, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 6, 2008

TAMPA - Jesuit avenged its state semifinal loss a year ago to Fernandina Beach on Saturday night as it claimed a 1-0 victory in the Elite Bracket championship match at the 14th annual Soccer Field High School Invitational at Ed Radice Park.

Arthur Beil scored the match's only goal in the second half, heading in a picturesque cross by speedy midfielder Keith Sierra that looked as if it was executed exactly as it was drawn up.

In a way it was. Those types of shots are Jesuit's specialty.

"It couldn't have been a better ball," Beil said. "We have a system we like to play. We like to get the ball wide to our wings and cross the ball in exactly like that."

Jesuit (18-2), the Tribune's No. 2 team in Hillsborough County, claimed its third tournament championship and didn't allow a goal in four tournament matches.

Both teams played a physical, emotionally charged match in which several players cramped up. Jesuit coach Bob Bauman drew a yellow card after he and Fernandina Beach (19-1-2) coach Joshua Dunn exchanged words.

Fernandina Beach's Luis Rojas left the game after drawing a red card for punching Jesuit's Greg Sasser in the stomach.

Sasser was the defensive MVP. Teammate Ali Van Gurp was offensive MVP.

Bauman said Fernandina Beach scored in similar fashion during last year's state semifinal.
Beil pointed out that it would have been a big match either way. But the matchup between the Tribune's top two teams never materialized.

No. 1 Tampa Prep fell to Fernandina Beach 3-1 in the semifinals, robbing local fans of their only opportunity to see Tampa Prep and Jesuit square off.
Tournament officials awarded Tampa Prep the third-place trophy after its opponent, Melbourne, chose not to play that match.

Meanwhile, Land O'Lakes defeated defending state champion Nease 2-0 to claim the Premier Bracket championship. Dominic Cutrofello scored both goals.

Sickles lost both of its matches in the Elite Bracket, falling 2-0 to American Heritage and 1-0 to Mariner in the seventh-place match.

In the Premier Bracket, Gaither claimed third place with a 2-1 win over Merritt Island. Alonso lost the fifth-place match 3-2 to Lincoln. And Freedom claimed seventh place after a 3-2 shootout victory over Gulf Breeze.

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