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Preps

Vikings have tougher time

ST. PETERSBURG -- The last time Northeast played Osceola, the Warriors were missing a few academically ineligible players. And though the Warriors lost that game, Osceola coach Tom Rachford knew things would be closer the next time around.

The Vikings beat the Warriors 5-3 on Thursday, scoring two goals in double overtime to advance to today's PCAC title game against Seminole.

The game was evenly matched with equally strong passing and defense. Both keepers made tough saves.

Tied at the half, Northeast went up in the 41st minute on a goal from Asmir Pervan, who received a cross from the left side of the goal from Cang Tran. The Warriors came back with a goal from Colin Kirwan in the 57th minute, and then took a 3-2 lead a few minutes later on a goal from Adam Bocanegra.

On what Rachford called a "tough call," Osceola was called for a penalty in the box. Samir Tatarevic scored the penalty kick for Northeast, evening things up in the 71st minute.

"We let too many chances get away in the first half," Rachford said. "We fought back. We battled."

Late in the second overtime, Ryan Darr scored off a pass from Eljon Naco. Seconds later Tatarevic headed in a corner kick to put the Vikings up by two.

Seminole ekes out a win

SEMINOLE -- Would Countryside's momentum after a win over Palm Harbor on Wednesday give the Cougars the edge over Seminole in the North County semifinal?

Would it be the Warhawks' homefield advantage that would propel them to the finals, giving Seminole coach Rick Masi a shot at his third PCAC championship in five years?

Or would the Warhawks and Cougars play a physical hard-fought game down to the wire?

The Cougars and Warhawks acted out the last scenario as Seminole advancing to the finals with a 1-0 win.

"It was a big win tonight. We had four starters out and our guys sucked it up and battled with them all night," Masi said. "Countryside always brings a battle, they play hard and they don't quit, but we just sucked it up and played like a team."

Ten minutes in, Richard Legg scored the only goal on an assist by Dillon Learn. For the remaining 70 minutes, both teams went at each other hard, trading run after run, but Countryside (13-8-2) never found the net.

Seminole (19-3-3) forced a usually precise Cougars squad into bad touches, something Countryside coach Dave Sica believes meant his team wasn't in the game.

"If you want it bad enough, you can win," Sica said. "If you don't work, you're not going to win, but I tip my hat to Seminole, they always bring it to use."

-- ERIC MUSKATEVC

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