Dunedin defeats Boca Ciega 6-2 as Ryan Boyton scores twice in each half.
By LAURA LEE
Published December 20, 2003
GULFPORT - Dunedin's Ryan Boyton scored a hat trick plus one as the the Falcons defeated Boca Ciega 6-2 on Friday.
Boyton scored twice in both halves, often on breakaways, outrunning and overpowering Boca Ciega's defense.
"It's a team effort," Boyton said. "Everybody played their best. It's not just me. I just did anything I could to help."
Dunedin came out strong at the start, scoring twice in the first six minutes on goals from Boyton and Chris Rotz. Boyton scored a second time in the half in the 14th minute, on a long shot where he forced Bogie's keeper, Nestor Cabrejo, to come out.
Going up 3-0 before the middle of the half, the Falcons relaxed and allowed Boca Ciega (1-9) to run its attack. The Pirates became aggressive and started taking more shots and David Kron scored on a header in the 33rd minute. Still, the Falcons led 3-1 at the half.
Dunedin started the second half much like the first, firing shot after shot at the Pirates before Boyton drilled in another goal from long distance. The Pirates scored their second on a penalty kick from Lee Tobin, but it wasn't enough to stop the Falcons, who also got one more goal from Cristian Ionescu.
Dunedin (6-1-1) would like to think it is going about its season unnoticed, winning games without causing much attention.
"I'm glad that we're under the radar," Dunedin coach Gerald Clemente said. "They're not expecting us to be good."
But as they continue to play well, the Falcons' secret is leaking out. They started the season with a tie against Seminole in which Dunedin led deep into the the second half. Their only loss was by a goal against East Lake.
Clemente said the first two weeks of January, just after winter break, will be the definitive time for the Falcons when Dunedin has four big district games: Palm Harbor U., Countryside, East Lake and Clearwater.
