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Late Goal Gives HC United Title

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By NICHOLAS MURRAY | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 7, 2009

LAKE BUENA VISTA - After leaving the trophy rostrum with silver, runners-up medals three times before, Hillsborough County United's boys Under-17 soccer team finally struck gold.

Matt Moore scored with just over a minute to play in overtime to give HCU a 5-4 victory against Hoosier FC from Indiana in the Disney Soccer Showcase's Copa Black division final Dec. 30 to grab victory after HCU had lost a late two-goal lead in regulation.

"It's huge," Moore said. "We lost in the final earlier this year, and it's a great win for the people that are leaving. It's a big relief."

HCU had fallen behind early as Hoosier started quickly, but Alejandro Pena tied the game before a quick-paced move down the right allowed Keith Sierra to give HCU its first lead. Andrew Buckley's backheeled flick set up Sierra for his goal, and Buckley used his skill to turn his defender 12 yards out and shoot low into the left corner to gave HCU a 3-1 halftime lead.

"It felt so good, we just wanted to win so bad," Buckley said. "We had three silver medals, now we finally have a gold. Finally got one, finally won the gold medal."

Hoosier again started the second half quickly, and caught HCU's defense napping to bring the score back to 3-2 within the first two minutes of the second half. HCU then regained control, and a long throw-in to the near post was flicked on to Robert Coleman, who roofed his finish to restore the two-goal lead.

But then it began to unravel. For a team that had played as well defensively as HCU had, it hadn't given up a goal in its three pool games to advance to the final, giving up four goals was surprising to Coach Kelvin Jones.

"We played great soccer all weekend," Jones said. "We had been stout defensively, but we gave away a couple of dead-ball goals today."

The second of those came in second-half stoppage time, sending the game to extra time. Jones said he was confident his team would still pull out the game.

"On the offensive side, we're very tough to stop," he said. "When we go forward, we go with speed and we've got some guys, Andrew Buckley especially is just a pure finisher."

HCU wasn't the only side to earn victory at the event, as the Clearwater Chargers boys Under-15 team defeated St. Petersburg's Strictly Soccer 2-1 in the Copa White division.

RSL Florida's boys Under-16 weren't as fortunate, as it lost 1-0 to the Match Fit Chelsea Academy from New Jersey in the Copa White division. Despite playing the better soccer for most of the game, the RSL defense didn't deal with a long-ball forward, resulting in the only goal of the game.

"I have to give credit to the team, they hung in there," RSL coach Eddie Oyakhilome said. "At the end of it all, domination doesn't win it, you've got to execute when you get chances, and they defended well. We live and die by attacking teams, and that's what we're going to keep doing."

Team captain Dilyn Philandra said he thought the team needed to learn to play with more urgency when it fell behind, especially late in the game. He added the team needed to show a more united front when it did struggle, and avoid losing focus.

"During the game we always argue with each other, and that's a big problem," Philandra said. "We all get messed up in our heads, and can't focus on the game."

Barbarians Unveil New Rugby Facility

TAMPA - The Tampa Barbarians youth rugby club were like their namesakes in their inaugural season.

The Barbarians, an invitational team that has no home ground, have been mainstays on the international rugby scene for decades, competing against the best sides in the world.

On Saturday, Tampa's version unveiled the place it will call home for what they hope is the forseeable future in New Tampa, next to Turner Elementary School.

"It's wonderful to be able to come here and have a bunch of people cheer us on," winger Giovanni Fitzpatrick said after the opening game on the new field. "A huge thrill, we have our own field."

Club founder Mark Van Trees was helped by Monica Wooden from the New Tampa softball league, which also has fields in the same area, to work with the county to gain the space, which houses a clubhouse and full-size field the Barbarians will use for their home games in the Florida State league, which begins Jan. 17.

"This field sat as an extra practice area," Van Trees said. "She offered it to us, and the county worked with us and they've let us use it as part of their facility here. We're very, very happy to get it."

Florida Rugby Union president John Davenport was present to take part in the opening ceremony. He said that the Barbarians facility is another step forward for Florida rugby. Davenport became president two years ago, and has seen the sport grow quickly at the youth level.

"This is the beginning of 2009, and here we are with a new club and a new ground," he said. "This is rare for men's clubs in the state, exciting for the kids to have a place to play, and a great facility, too."

After going 6-5 in their opening season, and with their new facility, the Barbarians are now aiming high.

"We think a state championship is possible," Fitzpatrick said. "With the current squad, we can press on and do it. I'm confident we can go to the state finals, and take a state championship home."

Nicholas J.E. Murray can be reached at (813) 598-2482.

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