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Boys Soccer: East Lake Wins Puma Challenge

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By LEE DIEKEMPER

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 26, 2008

CLEARWATER -- When East Lake's Nicholas Patterson took a long pass from Brett Hummel in the second overtime and had a free shot behind Countryside's defense, it appeared this cold, long match was finally to end.

But Patterson's shot hit the right upright and the game continued.

"Tired legs," is what went through Countryside coach Dave Sica's mind watching his team dodge a bullet. "Those things happen with tired legs."

Patterson, prone on the ground, writhed in frustration. He would redeem himself.

Shortly thereafter, nearly the same play unfolded. This time Patterson didn't disappoint. He put the ball through for a 2-1 East Lake win.

The win gave East Lake (6-0-3) the crown of the high school division of the Puma Challenge. The final was held at the Countryside Sports Complex in Clearwater.

"After I hit the post I just wanted another goal," Patterson said. "I was waiting for the perfect time to score. Hummel stole it and dribbled down then I looked up and I knew he was going to pass it to me. He gave me the perfect ball."

The teams had seemingly hit a wall. It was the fifth game in two days for the teams and worse for Countryside which had seven senior starters play in a tournament over the weekend in Raleigh, N.C. For those seven, they have played nine games in six days.

"They are dead. They are on fumes," Countryside coach Dave Sica said. "Take nothing away from East Lake. They kept at it and kept coming and deserved the win."

Neither team dominated the first half which resulted in a scoreless tie at halftime.

"What you saw was five games in 48 hours," East Lake coach Sergei Stopek said. "Things went in spurts. They would find their legs or find a second wind and go."

The second half began with Countryside (3-3-2) playing aggressive; leading to its only goal, Jagger Martinez took a pass from Joe Gratt. Martinez, from the left of the goal, had enough time to size up his shot and let loose with a blast that got past two defenders and East Lake's keeper.

The lead didn't last too long. Drew Smith evened the game at 1-1 when he fought through traffic and put the ball just past the right upright.

East Lake 0 1 0 1-2
Countryside 0 1 0 0-1
Goals -- Smith, Patterson (E); Martinez (C). Assists -- Hummel 2 (E); Gratton, Crowell (C). Shots -- E 12; C 5. Saves -- Kirkbride 6 (E); Maricle 8 (C)

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