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Boys Soccer: Hurricanes Advance To Final Four

HURRICANES 1, WARHAWKS 0

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST

PHU forward Ben Sweat netted the lone goal Friday night as the Hurricanes advanced to the state final four.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: February 13, 2009

SEMINOLE - "If we don't become a team, we will die as individuals."

That's the attitude the Palm Harbor University's boys soccer team has preached amongst itself since Day 1. Friday night at Seminole High, the Hurricanes proved once again that they continue to thrive as a complete unit.

PHU (22-4-4) advanced to its third state final four appearance in four years by outlasting Seminole 1-0 in the Class 5A Region 3 finals.

The match's lone goal came in the 16th minute of the second half by senior Ben Sweat. After receiving a pass at midfield, Sweat broke through the pack on a breakaway and went opposite-post for the score.

"It was a through ball from one of our midfielders," he said. "I knew we had the defenders beat, so I just went to the goal."

"In my opinion, the No. 22 for our team (Sweat) is the best player in the county this year - either him or (Matthew) Tobin," PHU head coach Alex Delgado said of his two top playmakers. "What an explosive play he made. Only he, in this county, could have made that play starting from midfield."

The match was scoreless after one half and Delgado said his boys did not come out with the same intensity as in Tuesday's high-energy, 1-0 victory over Jesuit High. Sweat stepped up in a different fashion during the break, Delgado said.

"He spoke up at halftime and he was unbelievable," Delgado said. "Sweat's one of those soft-spoken kids, but he really led this team."

The Hurricanes had trouble retaining possession for much of the match's first 50 minutes, but defenders such as Brandon Shaneyfelt and goalkeeper Max Tobin effectively kept the Warhawks' attack at bay until Sweat broke the tie.

PHU now moves on to face Coconut Creek Monarch next Friday at the University of Tampa's Pepin Field. Monarch beat Cape Coral 2-0 in its region final.

Early on this season the Hurricanes appeared to be slightly down from year's past, but never wavered while flying somewhat under the radar. The possibilities of achieving its current heights were never in doubt, Sweat said.

"This was our goal from the beginning of the year. It's just an amazing feeling."

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

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