ELITE BLACK MARCHES TO FLORIDA STATE CUP FINAL ROUNDS

April 29, 2008

The U14 Elite Black competed in the Florida State Cup Sweet 16 and Elite 8 playoffs on 4/26-4/27 at the Palm Bay Regional Soccer Complex in Palm Bay, Florida. They were victorious in both their games launching themselves into the State semi-finals to be held in Pensacola on May 17-18.

The playoffs were held under changing conditions that went from cool damp mornings to hot, sunny afternoons. Elite Black competed under both scenarios. They met Florida State League rival Space Coast United Soccer Club in the Sweet 16 game on a hot and breezy afternoon on the first day of the playoffs. The Space Coast team seemed to have made the decision to hunker down and crowd the box in an attempt to stifle the strong offensive attack of the Elite Black. The tactic worked as even though the Elite Black pounded their keeper with shot after shot the back of the net remained elusive after regular time play ended.

The same result occurred in two full overtime periods sending the game into penalty kicks (PK). Word has it that the Elite Black has been working hard on their PK skills over the past month in anticipation of just this situation. It paid off with the Elite Black winning the game 1-0 after outscoring the Space Coast team 5-4 in PKs.

The Elite Black met this same Space coast team once in league play this year and once in a friendly competition. Their record was 1-0-1 in these games and there is still one league game pending play in May. If the Elite Black wins both their remaining league games they will win the 2007-2008 Florida State League.

In the Elite 8 game held on Sunday the Elite Black met the Cape Coral Soccer Blue team that they defeated 3-0 in the preliminary round. The game was played early that morning under cooler skies with the pitch a little damp from the morning dew. The Cape Coral team came to play, but the result was the same with the Elite Black winning 3-0. During the weekend of play both the offense and defense played consistent soccer and showed all observers why they deserve to be where they are in State Cup competition.

The Elite Black has played five games so far in State Cup Competition and has won all five outings. They have not given up a goal in regular time play. The only goals afforded were in the PK shootout. Elite Black has out scored their opponents 10 goals to nil.

The semi-finals and finals will be played next month with the Elite Black opening up action against the Creeks Clash Blue. Creeks Clash is yet another Florida State league rival whom the Elite Black has faced twice this season. Elite Black won both those games with score of 2-0 and 2-1. This will be a hard fought battle which will hopefully propel the Elite Black into the Florida State Cup finals against either RSL Florida or Renegades Soccer Club. Elite Black has already seen competition against both these clubs and plans on being well-prepared for the challenges ahead.