EMOTION, NO SURRENDER, REFUSE TO LOSE!!!
It is often heard from coaches and parents, but seldom seen.
On Sunday December 8th, it was seen. It was seen by spectators, SCYSA staff and players young and old.
Prior to the State Cup Final, the team was given a question .... HOW MUCH? How much would you give to win the championship?
Change in field and delayed start time caused the team to start slow, giving up an early opportunistic goal. But 10 minutes into the game United began to control the game and committed to the attack with a few opportunities hitting the crossbar or sailing slightly wide.
The second half began with more of the same, however bad timing in a pass allowed CESA to break into a quick counter. Although the player was covered, a foul was called after the players tripped on each other’s feet. The referee pointed to the spot and CESA would go up 2-0.
United never gave up, wave after wave of relentless attack was sent to the CESA goal, each time CESa would boot it out as fars as they could. A goal was thought to have been scored by United when the ball hit the inside netting next to the post but came promptly back to the keeper. Still United came.
Fifteen minutes from time, a corner kick was redirected by Danny Cates and United was on the board. 2-1 and still Unted came. Opportunities would appear but mass defending by CESA would not break, still United came.
CESA time wasting resulted in 4 minutes of added time. Still United came.
A misplayed ball by CESA comes out to the center 25 yds out where Andrew Chavarria rips a one time shot that finds the back of the net tying the game 2-2. FIVE seconds later the game is called and goes into OT.
Overtime is a similar affair, CESA did not get a shot on goal but defended well enough to take the game to PKs.
A hit of the post and an excellent save by the CESA goalkeeper sealed the victory sending CESA to regionals as the SC representative.
******************************************************************************************
United 89 boys qualified for regionals.
Saturday November 3rd saw one of the best games in the premier league played in front of a large partisan crowd at Gibson rd complex. The game pitted #1 NASA vs #2 Lexington with the winner guaranteed a spot in the regional championships in June 2008. Despite having two starters out serving red card infractions, United 89 boys scored first when a deflected cross from Jugal Dalal found a streaking Cade Weatherly on the back post for the go ahead header.
The half ended with Lexington up 1-0. In the second half NASA came out gunning for United, receiving a PK call. Tanner Osborne in nets, saved the kick keeping United ahead in the scoreline.
Continued pressure by NASA resulted in the tying goal with 15 minutes left in the game when a questionable offside play to what appeared to be a wide open NASA player was crossed and finished by #18. The second would come 5 minutes from time, when a defensive lapse allowed a superb strike by #20 in the upper left corner giving NASA teh 2-1 win.
United had to win the game against TYSA on Sunday november 4th, 2007 to have a chance to finish 2nd in the league and receive the second birth to regionals. This time with Daniel Lynch sitting out an injury, United took control of the game 10 minutes in when a Michael Czulinski pass found Andrew Chavarria open 25 yards from goal. Chavarria placed a swerving kick on the upper left corner of the net for the go ahead goal. United then took control of play finishing off the visitors with a spectacular Reel Callison header from a cross from Graham howard for #2 and capped of by a rocket from Adam Dillihay of a corner fron Byron Quinatoa.
The 3-0 win placed additional pressure on CUFC who played NASA in the second game. CUFC had to win in order to capture a spot in the regional championships, falling short in a NASA controlled 2-1 victory.
Congratulations United on a great season and return trip to regional championships which will be held in Raleigh, NC on June 2008
