[ad_1]
The Alachua County Cup Trophy does not require a change of address form after the Gainesville Hurricanes men’s soccer team defeated the Buchholz Bobcats 4-1 at Citizens Field at Milton Lewis Stadium on Friday night.
The Hurricanes have won the championship every time since the County Tournament began four years ago.
Gainesville lifted the trophy again on Friday, but it wasn’t easy. In fact, the championship tilt required overtime as Buchholz connected with the final second goal at the end of regulation to tie the game at 1-1.
Looking back at the semi-finals:Buchholz, Gainesville advance to Alachua County Cup final
The flow of the game is like this.
Both teams strike at the end of regulation
After over 75 minutes of scoreless action, the Hurricanes finally found the back of the net at 77.th A minute in regulation when Gainesville senior Brendan Foley took Buchholz senior goalkeeper Philip Karcaba out of position and took a shot.
And given that the Bobcats had yet to score in the first 77 minutes, a comeback seemed unlikely.
But Buchholz would get a chance with a corner kick. Senior Reed Rousseau then sent the ball to senior Luke Smith.
Gainesville wanted to win in regulation, but head coach Basil Benjamin saw positives in the overtime opportunity.
“I thought it would be great for us,” said Benjamin. “Usually I always try to tell them that the last second of the game counts. You have to be serious, you have to defend hard. It’s good that it happens to us, especially with the playoffs coming up, so it’s going to be something fresh in their brains.”
Gainesville’s late addition Isaac Gugel appears in OT
Senior Isaac Gugel joined the Hurricanes midseason. He spent his two years in Spain before returning to Gainesville to play football for his club based in Madrid. Gugel played his freshman season on the East Side.
“I didn’t think he could play,” Benjamin said of Gugel. “He was injured and had to fight all season. But he’s doing a good job and rehabbing.”
Gugel could have fooled everyone on Friday night, especially during overtime, as he acted as a catalyst for the hurricane attacks.
The Bobcats and Hurricanes had two 10-minute periods in overtime, each scored by Gugel. First to make the score 2-1 with 2:30 playing into the first extra time, then delivered a dagger with a minute to play in the final period, giving Gainesville a comfortable 4-1 lead.
“He causes problems for opponents,” said Benjamin. “He’s a guy who can score goals, but he can also make goals. So I’m sure it’s quite a challenge for those who are trying to defend him.”
Both teams look to apply their championship experience to the playoffs
Friday night’s championship fight was the final regular season game for both programs.
Gainesville are primed for a deep postseason run considering they are ranked No. 1 in Class 6A, the same classification that Buchholz competes in.
“This is a great game going into the postseason,” Journey said. “We are right there to bring play to this level, to have a 1-1 draw with the top-ranked team in the state.”
The Hurricanes and Bobcats will learn seeding for the district tournament next week.
[ad_2]
Source link
