TAMPA – In Saturday’s Class A state championship, Tampa Catholic (14-10-1) hung around, and hung around, and nearly did the unthinkable against one of the state’s toughest teams. But in the end, Miami Gulliver Prep walked away with its second consecutive state title, 3-1.

"Tampa Catholic was a very well-prepared and well-organized team,’’ Gulliver coach Jorge Dieppa said. "They knew our strengths and weaknesses, and may have played a smarter game than us. But we probably had more talent, and that won out at the end.’’

Gulliver (28-2-4) began pressuring the ball from the opening whistle with chances by Felipe Rios and Andrei Munoz, but Crusader keeper John Jacobs was able to haul them in.

The Raiders broke through in the 13th minute when Jean Camere stole the ball near the top of the box, dribbled to his right, and launched an off-balance shot that sailed over Jacobs and deflected in off the crossbar.

After that, the Crusader defense began to get more aggressive. Before the end of the first half, Michael Melghem, Devin O'Connor, and Jeremy Castelluci had all received yellow cards for rough play. Three Gulliver players also received cards.

With 30 seconds remaining in the first half, Chris Golden nearly equalized with a spectacular header off Melghem's free kick, but Raider goalie Even Yavelburg was there for the stop.

The Crusaders' best chance came in the 68^th minute when Chris Blaze made a nice turn at the corner of the box and crossed it. Freshman forward Edwin Colon got it and settled it, but his point-blank shot was just wide.

Moments later, Rios was taken down just outside the box. He sent a free kick into 6-feet-5 sweeper Kevin Taylor, who sneaked up from the back to head it in.

In the 75th minute, however, after an offensive flurry in the box, Tampa Catholic was awarded a penalty kick when Melghem was taken down. Gabriel Costa stepped up and buried it to pull within 2-1.

Gulliver slammed the door in the 78th minute when Charlie Koniver blasted a shot from 35 yards out on a free kick to make it 3-1.

"Something about my kids this year—they just seem to rise to the occasion,’’ Crusader coach Chris Meyer said. "That’s a big reason why we were here today. We’ll be back next year.’’