OT-happy CCC gets it done in regulation

Marauders get the winner on a penalty kick with less than two minutes left in the game.

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 Fort Myers 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 final with a 1-0 win over P.K. Yonge .

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.

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 came with the referee's whistle to end regulation looming. CCC will be looking to add to its state-record nine titles against American Heritage Plantation today at 4 p.m.

[Last modified February 16, 2007, 22:44:29]