Emphatic first state championship win for Shorecrest boys soccer
Source/Author: Rodney Page, Tampa Bay Times
February 27, 2020
After years of frustration in regionals and the state tournament, Shorecrest is finally a state champion.
On a picture-perfect Thursday afternoon none of the players will forget, the Chargers defeated Tallahassee Maclay 4-0 in the Class 2A championship at Stetson University’s Spec Martin Stadium. It is the school’s first state soccer title and caps an 18-3-2 season. Maclay, ranked fourth in the state and seventh nationally by MaxPreps, ends the season 22-1.
Shorecrest scored two goals in the first half and dodged a few close calls on defense. The Chargers scored again in the second half and clamped down on defense to secure the title.
The Chargers didn’t have many chances in the first half, but they converted on two of them. In the 17th minute, Turner Bramlet spotted an open Max Consoni 20 yards from goal and fed a perfect pass. Consoni was able to dribble past the Maclay keeper and get off a left-footer. The ball rolled slowly into the lower left corner for a 1-0 lead.
Maclay (22-1) nearly scored in the 23rd minute when Alexander Guzman ripped a shot off the crossbar from 20 yards. Then six minutes later, the Chargers were on the board again.
With the Marauders attacking in front of the Shorecrest goal, Chargers defenders were just trying to clear the ball away. A clearance attempt was settled by Asher Rovin just beyond midfield in the 29th minute. Rovin took it from there.
He outworked two defenders to break free about 30 yards from goal. He then faked out the goalkeeper and found himself all alone in front of the goal about 15 yards out. He tapped in the shot to make it 2-0.
Maclay stepped up the offensive pressure in the second half, but it was the Chargers who found the net. In the 50th minute, Consoni got free in the box and drew defenders. He passed to Jon Shehu, who one-timed a shot from 5 yards to make it 3-0.
It became 4-0 seven minutes later when Rovin crossed a ball right in front of the goal. Consoni got a head on it and redirected it into the net.
This is the seventh straight shutout for Shorecrest.
Original story will be updated here: https://www.tampabay.com/sports/high-schools/2020/02/27/emphatic-first-state-championship-win-for-shorecrest-boys-soccer/
Original story will be updated here: https://www.tampabay.com/sports/high-schools/2020/02/27/emphatic-first-state-championship-win-for-shorecrest-boys-soccer/
