Celebration in regulation

Overtime-happy CCC reaches title game after a PK goal with less than two minutes left.

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published February 17, 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE - Goalkeeper Adam Martin huddled the Clearwater Central Catholic defenders at midfield of Lockhart Stadium - the same way they had done last Friday in the Marauders' overtime region final win against Bishop Verot - and prayed.

"We said a Hail Mary," Martin said. "Just like we do for any big kick."

If it was divine intervention Martin was looking for, it came in the form of a Chris Di Napoli penalty kick with less than two minutes left that sent the Marauders into today's championship with a 1-0 win over P.K. Yonge.

"This is unbelievable," Di Napoli said. "I just took a deep breath and buried it."

But it was the sequence before Di Napoli's PK that won't soon be forgotten in CCC 17-6-3 lore. Brian McArdle's corner kick sailed untouched into the Blue Wave (13-3-3) penalty box. With P.K. Yonge's keeper protecting the near post, the ball hit the ground and appeared to be heading into goal. But Blue Wave midfielder Sean Hauzer batted the ball away with his hand, drawing a yellow card and setting up Di Napoli's winner.

"I was surprised (Hauzer) did that," McArdle said. "I think he just got stuck under the pressure."

It was an improbable end to a match that seemed destined for overtime. There were few opportunities on either end, as both teams packed defenders in the back on Lockhart Stadium's wide field - the first time the Marauders have played on a field of its size all season.

"We couldn't apply pressure like we do on narrow fields," Martin said. "But I think we adjusted better in the second half and we'll be more comfortable (today)."

The win adds another chapter to what is turning out to be a magical run for CCC. The Marauders have won three-of-five postseason matches in overtime and Friday's victory came with the referee's whistle to end regulation looming. CCC will be looking to add to its state-record nine championships against American Heritage Plantation, back-to-back champs in 2004-05, today at 4 p.m.

Brandon Wright can be reached at bwright@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2216.

[Last modified February 16, 2007, 22:46:59]