An own goal and free kick propel Wesley Chapel to a 3-3 district draw against Gulf.
By STEVE LEE
Published December 13, 2003
WESLEY CHAPEL - Novica Maric's hat trick increased his county-leading total to 27 goals, but that was not enough to lead Gulf to a victory Friday at Wildcat Stadium.
Wesley Chapel rallied from a two-goal deficit for a 3-3 tie in a pivotal Class 4A, District 10 game.
An own goal by Gulf in the 54th minute, which came six minutes after Maric's third goal gave it a 3-1 lead, got the Wildcats back in the game.
Bryan Sumner's free kick from 35 yards sailed over a crowd in front of the Gulf net, and the ball deflected off a defender past Buccaneer goalkeeper Cellin Neptune.
"The own goal," said Gulf coach Sam Koleduk, shaking his head. "We've just got to minimize our mistakes."
Wesley Chapel (5-2-3, 2-1-2 in 4A-10) got the tying goal in the 77th minute on Larry Waywood's first goal. Waywood, in a skirmish near the left post after a corner kick, pounced on a loose ball and lifted it over Neptune just inside the post.
In the last five minutes, Wesley Chapel saw several scoring chances go awry. Neptune made a fingertip save on Phillip Rossi's shot toward the upper-right corner. Joe Berenguer shot just wide of the left post, and Gabe Montelongo's free kick sailed over the crossbar.
Those chances came as Wesley Chapel crashed the Gulf net and capitalized on its height advantage.
"We started sending long balls in the air," Wesley Chapel coach Brian Dorkowski said. "They had trouble with that."
Added Koleduk, "They're good in the air. That's their strength."
Gulf (4-5-1, 1-3-1) took a 2-1 lead in the first when Maric converted a pass from his twin brother, Bosho. Bosho Maric, who has 18 assists, also set up his brother for Gulf's third goal.
The Wildcats nearly headed into the locker room at halftime without a goal, but Rossi scored in the final minute of the first half on a two-bouncer from midfield that sneaked past a slew of players in the penalty box.
