Cougars survive consecutive one-goal tests

Countryside is a two-time champion. District champ, that is.

By ERIC MUSKATEVC Times Correspondent
Published January 27, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Countryside is a two-time champion. District champ, that is.

Don't think for a second the Cougars are thinking anything other than the game in front of them. And, Friday at Mitchell, for the second straight game, they didn't have time to think about back-to-back state titles during another one-goal test against Alonso.

"(Alonso) was on a high, playing excellent soccer,' said Kyle Kuhlman, part of the Cougars' sturdy midfield that was keyed on all night by the Ravens defense. "We just had to come out again (Friday) and fight for ourselves, for just this game."

Fight they did. A scoreless first-half boosted tensions out of intermission. As they had most of the game, the Countryside midfield made cross after cross and coach Dave Sica said his team's ability to finish still wasn't where he'd like it. Eventually, 10 minutes after halftime, Mike Guiliano nailed a cross to the left side of the box where Mike Favero trapped it, protected the ball past two defenders and chipped the game's only goal over Alonso keeper Nick Hall, who had four amazing saves.

Alonso (6-5-1) had four corner kicks in the final four minutes, but its skill was matched each time by Countryside (26-0-1) keeper Jeff Attinella, who had six saves.

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 00:01:11]