TAMPA -- How do you knock a Miami team out of the Puma Classic boys soccer tournament? You pit it against another team from Miami...at least, that's the only way any of the South Florida teams lost this weekend in the 32-team field (see Results). Hialeah American, Miami Senior, and Miami Sunset combined for a 11-1 record in the tourney. The only Miami loss was Sunset's 3-1 defeat to Senior in the Elite tourney semifinals.
American (10-0-1) came back from a one goal deficit to Longwood Lyman to win the Premier tourney title 2-1. Lyman's Mark Lewis struck first on a header in the first half. The senior captain played sweeper out of necessity because of some other injuries. He was solid in the back all game, directing traffic, and keeping the dangerous American attack at bay.
In the end, however, the American players began to break through, and Fernando Valenzuela tied it at 1-1 midway through the second half. With moments left to play, a hand ball in the box gave American a penalty kick and what seemed like the clincher, but Juan Rivera's shot hit off the crossbar. Moments later, however, John Pulido crossed the ball in, it was kicked about, and cleared back to Pulido. He teed up and blasted in the game winner.
Pulido was named Offensive MVP of the Premier torunament. American's Justin Ratcliffe was named Defensive MVP. American outscored its opponents 15-2 in the tourney.
In the Elite final, Miami Senior also came back from a goal deficit against upstart Jacksonville Bolles to win 2-1. Schuyler Strapp's follow-up at the 15 minute mark of the first half put the Bulldogs (7-2) up 1-0.
Late in the second half, Miami's Ricky Amador finished on a cross from Jonathon Martinez. Moments later, Amador returned the favor as Martinez headed in the game winner.
Amador was named Offensive MVP of the Elite tourney. Miami Senior's Nelson Velasquez was named Defensive MVP, narrowly edging out a heoric performance by Bolles goalie Zach Cover.
In other action, Bloomingdale defeated Tallahassee Leon 3-0 for third place of the Premier Tourney.
Largo ended up on a nice note a Premier tourney Consolation champion after a shootout win over Ironwood (Phoenix, AZ). The Packers outscored opponents 11-2 in the tourney and finished 3-1.
Host Jesuit also finished strong with a 3-1 win over Deltona
for fifth place. Lakeland George Jenkins won the Elite tourney
Consolation title, and Jax Fletcher took the Premier tourney 5th
place spot.
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