WRAP-UP: PLANTATION- EaglesU17Boyz EARLY SEASON 2005-2006.
First we hope and wish that all are experiencing a safe, quick and easy recovery from the visits by the latest hurricanes.
The EGL-U17Boys Gold Team came through with a very strong finish in the SFUYSA’s early season. The team was a finalist in the West Pines Soccer Classic Tournament in October, and as important earned victories in their last two season games that qualified them for League Play-offs in 2006.
The West Pines Tournament held at the fields in Amelia Earhart Park proved to be an excellent venue for the U17 Div. Teams. The Eagles ended the tournament with a 2-2 record, losing in the finals in what turned out to be a hard charging and relenting game. The championship match-up between the Coral Springs Renegades and the Plantation Eagles was played in what seemed all types of climatic condition, with the sun shinning bright as the game started and ending in a rain-pour that changed the pace of the game. This actually made play somewhat more interesting as the teams adjusted to the conditions. But it was the Renegades’ team that took quicker to the changes breaking the 1-1 tie by scoring the wining 2 goals in the last 6 minutes of the match.
Knowing that they had played with a reduced roster, the Eagles coach, Luis Jimenez, although disappointed with the final 3-1 score, was still somewhat pleased with the determination the Eagles boys had shown throughout the WP Classic Tournament.
In the last 2 season home games to culminate league competition, the Plantation-Eagles players began to show signs of being a real-squad. The team worked together, moving the ball very well in all areas of the field, taking solid shots on goal and staying focused the full 90 minutes. In the game versus the Lauderdale Lakes-Lions, after a slow start in which the Lions tied the game 1-1 within 5 minutes of the Eagles scoring. In the second half the Eagles let loose with 5 more goals for a 6-1 final.
The last match of the season would bring the Renegades to Plantation. This time the teams that had met just a week before did so again in ideal conditions. Both teams sized each other up during the first 15 minutes of the game with the Renegades pushing the ball towards the left side as they had before, however, the Eagles’ defense held. As the Eagles gain confidence at the 25 minute mark a perfectly placed ball hit against the back of the net from a direct kick that shot pass the wall and over the diving goal-keeper, to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. The Renegades looked and worked-hard to create an opportunity that would even the match before the first-half ended, however they would be denied by solid goal-keeping and strong defensive blocks.
As the second-half began the Eagles’ confidence was more apparent, they showed that squad-form that many coaches want to create in a team. At the defensive end, the goal-keeper and defenders were in the zone dictating the pace of the game. The midfielders took control allowing the offense to maneuvered and pressed from all angles. The crowd cheer as they new they were witnessing a display of ‘The Beautiful Game’. However, the Renegades never gave-up, but the Eagles were just to much on this day as they scored 2 more goals that gave them a well deserve 3-1 victory. It was an important moment for the Eagles, since all new the team needed to win this game to make the SFUYSA play-off rounds.
The Eagles U17 Boyz Gold Team is now preparing for the Plantation–Thanksgiving Internatinal Tournament to be played Nov. 25-26-27, 2005 @ Central Park & Pines Island Park in Plantation, Florida.
You are all invited to the Thanksgiving Tournament and be witness to the “Worlds Most ‘Beautiful Game’”.
A Safe & Happy! Thanksgiving!
