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PHU Grabs Hold Of 5A-9 Lead

HURRICANES 2, FALCONS 0

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST

Dunedin defender Nick Forrester heads a ball back the other way and out of the Falcons zone.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: December 3, 2008

DUNEDIN - With well over a month to play in the regular season, the Palm Harbor University boys soccer team virtually wrapped up the ultra-competitive Class 5A-District 9 top seeding Tuesday night with a 2-0 victory over Dunedin.

The win puts PHU at 8-1-2 (3-0-1) with only Pinellas Park left on its district schedule. Dunedin, formerly atop the standings, falls to 4-1-0 over and in district.

The Falcons were hanging with PHU throughout most of the first half with strong defensive play, but couldn't manage to start attacks of their own past midfield.

Hurricanes forward Ben Sweat broke the scoreless tie halfway through the 22nd minute with a 20-yard boot from the top-right corner of the goal box that got past two defenders and Dunedin goalkeeper Andrew Hindman.

Hindman did a great job in the first half's waning moments of keeping things at 1-0 by rushing out to slide and punch a ball away from Sweat who was on a breakaway.

While PHU topped Dunedin in shots taken, 8-6, the differential could have been much higher if not for the eight off-sides infractions the Hurricanes were whistled for that squelched opportunities.

One of the Falcons' best opportunities came early in the second half, when Julian Collewijn shot a direct kick toward Elias Votzakis standing in front of the net. Votzakis dipped and tried a back header, but PHU goalkeeper Max Gallin was in position for the save.

Junior Jeremy Paul finished off the night's scoring in the 15th minute of the final half. He was deep inside the Dunedin goal box banging with defenders and Hindman when a crossing pass entered the scrum and Paul got one to the back of the net.

PHU will play tonight at Osceola and Friday at Northeast.

Dunedin travels to Northeast Thursday night.

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com

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