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Boys Soccer: PHU Avenges Loss, Beats East Lake For District Title

HURRICANES 2, EAGLES 1

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST

The 2008-2009 Class 5A, District 9 champion Palm Harbor University Hurricanes.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: January 30, 2009

PALM HARBOR - It's a rare occasion when a tournament's No. 1 seed is considered the underdog, but that was the case in Friday night's Class 5A, District 9 championship game at Palm Harbor University High when the Hurricanes hosted rival and nationally-acclaimed East Lake.

Top-seeded Palm Harbor (19-4-4) earned the position by virtue of an early-season draw at East Lake in December and proved they are still a team to be reckoned with by knocking off the favored Eagles, 2-1.

The Hurricanes appeared motivated from the opening whistle and wasted no time to strike first. Forward Ben Sweat knocked in a goal within the games first five minutes and PHU then went up 2-0 only seven minutes later when Sam Venker headed in a Matthew Tobin corner kick.

"They were ready, it was all them," PHU coach Alex Delgado said. "We met here around 5:00 and I took the guys into the gym and showed them some of the banners for the PCAC championships, the district championships, the regional championships and the state championship. I said, 'This is our history. Do you want to be part of our history? Then you have a chance to do it tonight.'"

Complimenting the front line's impressive attacks in the first half was an equally effective PHU defense and the goalkeeping of Max Gallin. The Eagles (19-1-4) did not go quietly into the blustery Palm Harbor night, but each wave of attacks marched downfield were repeatedly rebuffed. East Lake did miss out on a golden opportunity during the 18th minute when Bryan Gonzalez weaved through two PHU defenders at the end line and sent a well-placed cross to the foot of teammate Josh Gonzalez. With an open net in his sights, Josh Gonzalez was unable to connect cleanly and Gallin smothered the threat.

Entering the second half down 2-0, East Lake quickly began its comeback push when Juan Alcala netted a rebound in the 6th minute. The Eagles continued to attack and juniors Matthew Kimball and Nick Patterson each had quality shots on goal, but neither could not beat Gallin a second time.

"It's unbelievable," the senior keeper said after the game. "We've had such a hard season with all the ups and downs. We've struggled in finals games, but just finally came through tonight."

Gallin is one of a seven-member senior class Delgado said he was especially proud of on this night.

"This senior class, I had some doubts about them and whether they wanted it. We played an unbelievable team. They're nationally ranked and undefeated, and I challenged them. Tonight they finally proved they belong."

Adding to the mental drive for PHU heading into Friday night's title match was how the last meeting with East Lake unfolded. The Eagles blasted PHU 3-0 at Palm Harbor during the annual Hurricane Watch Tournament championship game earlier this month.

"It was big motivation for us," Gallin said. We knew we had to come out and take care of business. East Lake is a very good team and we just played our hearts out.

"It wasn't our defense. It wasn't our forwards. It was everybody. Our whole team played together."

PHU will now enter Thursday's FHSAA regional quarterfinals with home-field advantage. The Hurricanes will host District 5A-10 runners-up Leto High (13-9-1).

East Lake travels to Jesuit High (23-1-1) for a rematch of last year's regional semifinals in which the Eagles dropped, 3-2.

EAST LAKE - 0 - 1 --- 1
PALM HARBOR - 2 - 0 --- 2

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

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