CESA 92 Premier vs GSA
Final: 3-2
CESA entered the match this afternoon with two losses to the two team who will meet in the finals on Sunday and had to win today in order to have a chance at finishing third of the six teams competing.
Again, CESA created chances during the half but made a couple of defensive missteps and fell to GSA by 2 at the halfway mark. With one substitute and trailing by two the boys came out with nothing but taking care of business on their minds in the second half.
Crisp passing and great movement off of the ball quickly opened up a seam for Daniel Valencia to find Joel Perez who sole rolled the ball to his right followed by a quick touch with the outside of his right foot and then a blistering strike to the upper 90 of the right side of the goal from 25 yards.
CESA was not finished as within five minutes the ball would find the left feet of Chris Tuggle on the left side of the pitch who would serve a beauty into the middle of the box to a streaking Brandon Burkholder who went in the air on the inside shoulder of the defender for a one time finish of an unstoppable six yard strike into the middle of the net as the keeper made every attempt to make the save.
With the score level CESA would not take their foot off of the gas. Alex Burnikel continued to attack from his defensive position with incredible energy. Half way through the second half Burnikel would go down with an injury to his right foot. CESA now with zero subs and level with RIII rival GSA continued to pound away.
With about ten minutes remaining Lunceford would serve a corner in from the right side that was headed out to an awaiting Joel Perz who settled and hit the ball with his left foot from 12 yards into the right side of the goal.
CESA up 3-2 with less than ten to go. GSA's best opportunity would come with about five minutes left from a free kick from the 25 yard mark but would go just wide.
The tournament rankings were based on points with zero for a loss, 1 for a tie and 3 for a win. GSA entered the match today with two points and with the win CESA finished with 3 points putting the boys in third of six as there were multiple ties over the past three days.
The defense stepped up the the second half as the team found their pace to bring it during the second half. It's a very nice feeling to see the team finish on a high note.
Congratulations boys on your run in 2009.
#3 National Finish
#1 Region III Finish
#1 RIII Premier League East Finish
#1 SCYSA Finish
Looking forward to 2010 when CESA will also compete in the National League. .
