WEST PINES U-19 BOYS REPEAT AS STATE CHAMPIONS

The West Pines Under-19 boys returned to the site of last season’s championship victory in Ft. Myers to, once again, emerge as Florida State Cup Champions. Having finished on top of their group in games played in Pensacola earlier in May 2008, West Pines was matched against cross-town rivals Weston in one of the semi-final games.

An intense match saw West Pines fight back from a goal down and the ejection of their goalkeeper to equalize midway during the second half when Evan Kluge provided a perfect cross for fellow striker Anthony “AJ” McNab to head home. Tied at one at the end of regulation play, West Pines stormed forward in an effort to find the winner during the overtime period. Kluge’s tremendous volley from a long throw-in by Anthony Garcia two minutes before the whistle ended Weston’s bid to force the game into the penalty phase. The long-awaited rematch with the other semi-final winner, Hillsborough County United (HCU) was finally at hand.

As under-16’s, and needing only a tied game to advance to the Final-4 and real prospects of winning the State title, West Pines was subjected to highly suspicious officiating when suffering a 3-2 loss to HCU in the final seconds of their qualifying game at that team’s home field. With haunting memories of that game still lingering, West Pines succumbed to early pressure and an HCU goal before gradually taking control of the game. Squandered scoring opportunities by the South Florida squad found them still seeking the equalizer at the half.

Taking the game to a level their opponents could not match it was all Pines in the second half. The controversial ejection of West Pines defender, Oshane Moodie, only served to ignite a team now playing some of its best soccer to date. A nifty attacking movement involving five West Pines players finally broke through as mid-fielder Shawn Chin slotted home the elusive tying goal. From there on it was all West Pines as wave after wave of attacking plays wore down the HCU defense until Kluge out dueled several players to head in the winner. Two minutes later West Pines had completed their quest to repeat as Florida State Champions.

“ This was much more satisfying than last year’s win”, said West Pines coach Anthony March. He continued, “ During the entire State Cup run we had so many starters out each game due to injuries, but still managed to win even when both Final-4 games were played down a man and coming from behind.”

The squad now heads to North Carolina on June 18 as the State representative in the Southern Regional Championship Series with hopes of bettering their 2007 semi-final finish. The team seeks the support of the community in defraying some of the costs involved with the trip and can be contacted at (954) 430-7548.