Boys 3A soccer: Bucs turn up heat early, keep it on in easy win

By ROD GIPSON
Published February 6, 2008

TAMPA - Early in December, Berkeley Prep was struggling in the midst of a 4-4-5 start. But the Buccaneers caught fire after the holiday break and streaked through the district tournament.

They kept that streak going Tuesday night, using a three-goal opening half to defeat Fort Myers Bishop Verot 4-1.

The win is Berkeley Prep's ninth straight match without a loss (7 wins, 2 ties). More importantly, the victory sends the Buccaneers (13-6-7) to Friday's region finals when they will host Melbourne Central Catholic.

"It's just been a matter of us really coming together as a team," coach Tim Cooper said. "We're playing our best soccer at the right time."

They certainly were in the first half.

Berkeley Prep opened the scoring with 25:40 left in the first half when Joe Rosati took a pass from Tj Roejn and put a shot past Bishop Verot goalkeeper Shawn Doyle. Nine minutes later, the Bucs extended their lead when James Post scored from 10 yards out.

Roehn scored to close out the first half.

The Vikings (21-5-1) managed more offense in the second half, but it only resulted in one score, by Troy Gembecki with four minutes left.

Julian Crockett scored Berkeley Prep's last goal of the match, cementing the Bucs' big win.

[Last modified February 5, 2008, 23:06:20]