TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Sebring Captures School's First-Ever District Boys Soccer Title

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

The Sebring boys soccer team claimed the school’s first-ever district boys soccer title on Friday night with a 2-1 victory over defending district champion Palmetto. The Streaks are now slated to host a regional match on at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31 at Firemen’s Field.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Brian Gjurgevich | Highlands Today

Published: January 27, 2008

BOYS SOCCER: District Champs Photo Gallery

SEBRING — Daniel Grimaldo stepped up the ball and thought of all the penalty kicks he'd taken in his life.

Some went left, some went right, but none were bigger than the one straight in front of him.

"I'm not going to lie — I prayed right there in the box," the senior said. "I knew I had to get it in. I knew it was our last chance. And there was no better feeling than watching that ball go in."

Sebring captured its first-ever district boys soccer title in dramatic fashion on Friday night, scoring twice in the second half and netting a penalty kick in the 78th minute to defeat defending district champ Palmetto 2-1 in the finals of the Class 4A-District 10 tournament at Firemen's Field.

The victory earned Sebring a home match in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A regional tournament, which kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday against the District 9 runner-up.

"Brilliant," said an exuberant Paul Brown, soaked from his first-ever Gatorade shower. "What more can I say?"

Try this, coach: A season that saw the Streaks lose their first four home games, go on a 12-game unbeaten streak and draw Palmetto in the district finals for the second straight year, all came down to 80 minutes of intense, physical play on both sides of the field. Sebring drew two yellow cards in the first five minutes of the second half and appeared too frustrated to pull themselves together, but a goal in the 52nd minute proved to be just the tipping point the Streaks needed.

Grimaldo, who said he knew fellow senior Brad Molinaro was the longest thrower on the team, broke down field on a throw-in and made a show-stopping move on his defender, causing the Tiger to slip and let Grimaldo run unguarded down the right side.

A picture-perfect cross to Gilberto Santos followed, and the junior promptly booted the ball past the Palmetto keeper's right side to tie the game at one.

"We stuck with it," Brown said. "I told them at half, this is our game to lose. If we want to win it, we need to play like we have all season."

Of course, Brown wasn't the only one giving inspirational speeches.

Before the match began, junior Jessey Dumbroski riled his team up in the huddle with the promise of a district banner hanging in the gym. He repeated that sentiment at halftime.

"Jessey really got us going," said Sebring keeper Ryan Cochran. "We weren't all down, but he got us where we needed to be to play."

The second half was filled with near-goals on both sides. Palmetto had a free kick deep in Streak territory with 18 minutes left, but it was saved by Cochran. A minute later, Palmetto's Brandon Waddy drilled one from 25 yards out, but Cochran was again there for a tip save. On the ensuing corner, the Tigers nearly scored on a header that sailed just over the crossbar.

Sebring then took its turn, nearly netting a Santos free kick in the 76th minute followed by two corner kicks in the final ticks.

But a foul in the box on the Streaks' final corner kick set Grimaldo up for what would be the clincher.

"We've been trying to do this for a long time," Molinaro said. "To finally get it done just feels great."

Nicholas Peters, another one of Sebring's five seniors, agreed.

"We needed this win," he said. "We've all been through a lot this season, but we came together. Now we're a team to watch out for."

NOTES: Palmetto's lone goal came on a first-half penalty kick by Eliud Saucedo.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT