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AP Shows Promise, But Falls To Braden River

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Avon Park’s Robert Bieber and Braden River’s Victor Solis battle for the ball in the first half of the Class 4A-District 10 tournament game at Fireman’s Field on Monday.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: January 23, 2008

SEBRING – The Avon Park boys soccer team didn't walk off the field making excuses or blaming their season on anything but inexperience of soccer players who are finally learning to play as a team.

"We played hard out there, especially in the second half," said Avon Park senior Sergio Durand. "This team was finally starting to gel and come together toward the end of the season.
"If only we had a few more games to play."

Those games – and the season – are over for the Red Devils after they fell to a more experienced Braden River squad 8-0 during Monday's Class 4A-District 10 tournament at Fireman's Field.

The mood was solumn but not one of frustration on the Red Devil sideline after the game. When asked about first-year head coach Jocelyn Simplice and the job he did this season, Durand gave praise for his dedication to the team.

"Nobody can tell me Coach isn't dedicated," Durand said. "He did a great job this season and brought us together as a team near the end of the season. He made us a better team by being here and putting in the time to teach us the game of soccer."

Durand has seen the good and bad times for the Red Devils in his four years with the team, adjusting to four different head coaches and adjusting to a new style of play each time.

That experience has instilled within him a dream.

"It was tough going through all those coaches," Durand said. "I really hope I can move on to college so one day I could one day become a coach myself.
"Maybe one day I could be a coach at Avon Park."

Durand, making his return after being sidelined with an injury for the past month, faced a relentless Pirate offensive onslaught in goal, as numerous odd-man rushes gave the Pirates a 3-0 lead just 15 minutes into the game.

Braden River's Tyler McCarthy scored on a one-timer in front of the net from junior Patrick Thomas seven minutes into the game, and moments later, freshman Javier Yalta scored the first of his two goals on a penalty kick and Christian Lizardi zipped the ball into an open net on a deflection for the three-goal lead.

Avon Park had minimal scoring chances but a possible look into the future for the Red Devils was seen in the chemistry building on the field between forwards Visoire Satine and Washley Jean, both of whom had prime opportunities to put the ball in the net in the first half.

Satine's chance came at the 16-minute mark, when he received a pass and raced past multiple Pirate defenders. But his shot went wide, while Jean's shot in front of the net was hauled in by a diving save by keeper Jeff Hoyle to end the Red Devils best chances to score.

"Washley and Visoire played very well together, especially toward the end of the season," Simplice said. "I think not having Casey [McKibben] in this game made a big difference because of his experience and the kind of effect he has on the younger players."

McKibben was out of the tournament game due to a nagging back injury that has lingered since football season.

The Pirates onslaught continued as the points piled up in the first half – to the total of seven – and the game was one goal away from a mercy-rule ending.

That is until the Red Devils battled back in the second half, racing after balls and cutting off Braden River shooters' access to the goal. The defensive stand forced the ball to the wing players, who had problems with Avon Park's defense.

Due to his team's historically slow starts this season, Simplice had the team play scrimmages before games to try and shake the rust and breathe some life into his squad.

"My team played better in the second half," Simplice said. "I can't understand why they can't play that way in the first half."

Durand was another reason why the Red Devils raised their level of play in the second half. One incredible diving save – which saw the senior leap over in the air to deflect the Pirates Dylan Karakat's shot – drew applause from the loyal Avon Park fans in attendance.

But the inevitable came at the 64-minute mark, when freshman Christian Serena scored and the game, tournament and season came to an end for the Red Devils – a season that had its share of ups and downs, but one that AP fans hope has laid the groundwork for the future.

Simplice already has plans on how the Red Devils can be even stronger next season, but he said it's going to take a commitment from his team.

"What's going to make a difference with this team is getting them playing soccer year-round," the first-year AP head coach said. "We've been invited by Coach Brown of Sebring to join some of his players in a travel-ball team.

"That is the best way for this team to get better. Most of these kids will leave here and forget about soccer until next season. You can't do that.
"You have to keep on kicking."

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