A minor jersey dilemma can't derail the Buccaneers from a berth in the title game.
By MIKE READLING
Published February 28, 2004
FORT LAUDERDALE - Even before Berkeley's big win over rival Jesuit in late January there was talk circulating through the state soccer community and Internet message boards about the Bucs chances to win the state title.
Actually, the talk wasn't about whether the Buccaneers would win the championship but, rather, by how many goals.
Even head coach Dave Zimmerman - typically guarded with his words regarding his squad - seemed confident in his team's chances heading to their first state tournament since 1997. Early this week the 29-year head coach said "the only team that can beat us is us."
Friday afternoon at Lockhart Stadium Berkeley showed why, sometimes, you can trust a little of what you read online.
The Bucs lived up to Zimmerman's expectations, completely dominating their Class 2A semifinal game and sending Jacksonville Providence home from its first state tournament with a 3-0 loss.
The Bucs will play in today's championship game at 2:30 with a shot to win their fourth state title and first since 1995.
It will be a championship game the Bucs have been preparing for since they opened the season Nov. 18 with a 3-0 win over Cardinal Mooney. Since then they have played teams in every classification, having what would be a 29-game winning streak interrupted only by a 3-2 loss to Class 6A semifinalist Bloomingdale which was ranked No. 1 in the nation during the season.
"The season for us was to do everything we could to prepare us for when we got here," Zimmerman said. "We didn't know that much about any team we played and I told them every game was like a championship game for us."
As anticipated, Berkeley (28-1) blasted away from the opening whistle, putting it's first shot on goal at the one minute mark and beating keeper Andrew Erdal in the 12th minute when Scott Strickland scored the first of his three goals.
Providence, 14-2-5 and a surprise state participant after an upset win in the region final, was clearly outclassed. The Stallions didn't manage to penetrate the Berkeley 18-yard box until the 32nd minute and didn't make Berkeley keeper Andrew McAdams work until the 35th minute when he fielded a long lob out in front of his goal.
The ensuing punt traveled across midfield, bounced twice and landed on Strickland's foot. The Bucs forward shielded his defender from the ball and one-timed it past Erdal to complete his hat trick. Strickland, a junior who is moving to Dallas with his family after the season, now has 36 goals to go with his school-record 38 assists.
In fact the most dramatic moment of the game came in the second when McAdams was forced to switch jerseys because of an improper logo. Just as he pulled the new jersey over his shoulders the Bucs defense lapsed and allowed Providence to muster a minor attack, forcing McAdams to guard his goal with a jersey around his neck, sleeves flying behind him as he moved.
As was the case most of the day, the Bucs defense regrouped and McAdams was able to finish getting dressed.
Today, the Bucs hope, is the day the rest of the team will be able to dress themselves in winner's medals.
