Terrapins advance with overtime goal

Sophomore scores two minutes into overtime.

By DAN GENOVESE
Published February 5, 2005

TAMPA - After a scoreless 80 minutes of soccer, Tampa Prep sophomore forward Zack Taylor sent everyone home with an unassisted goal two minutes into the overtime period of Friday night's championship game.

"It was amazing, I can't put it in words," Taylor said. "My teammates kept giving me chances and I knew it was coming."

The Terrapins gave Shorecrest its third loss of the season in a physical game that included eight yellow cards, a handful of free kicks, one penalty kick, two goals called back and several offsides calls.

"It was a tough game," said Tampa Prep coach Jose DaCosta. "Both teams had opportunities to win. We both share a similar style of play on both sides of the ball."

The defensive play of the Terrapins forced Shorecrest to be out of its element and play the long ball.

"Their midfield was tough," said Shorecrest head coach Richard Berthelot. "But, we didn't have any flow between our midfielders and forwards. We didn't execute like we should have and how we're used to playing."

Shorecrest missed a penalty kick in the second half and had a goal called back in the first half because of a foul.

"I still don't know why that goal was called back," Berthelot said. "I wouldn't say it cost us the game, but we would have really like to have that one back. Tampa is a good team and well- coached and I'd love to play them again."

Shorecrest will go on the road for the region tournament that begins Thursday and Tampa Prep will host the first round.

"It doesn't matter who we play," DaCosta said. "We're going to be prepared for anyone."

[Last modified February 5, 2005, 00:57:15]