February 19, 2008 -- South Florida Elite Futbol Club’s U-13 boys defeated Strictly Soccer FC 1-0 to take the championship at the President’s Day Score at the Shore tournament in Tampa, Florida. Forward Rashad Christie scored the lone goal with five minutes remaining in regulation on a pass from right midfielder Alexander Marsh. Christie turned on Strictly Soccer’s last defender and blasted the winning goal past the outstretched arms of Strictly Soccer’s goalkeeper. While Christie’s goal propelled SFE to the championship, it was the outstanding play of SFE’s defense that was the determining factor. Behind brilliant goaltending from Gabriel Menescal, sweeper Marcus Christian, stopper Jared Skinner, right back Erick Martinez, and left back Dylan Angelo stymied Strictly Soccer’s offense.
The championship score was SFE’s second 1-0 victory. SFE’s U-13 boys opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over PSC Coppa 94 from Pennsylvania. SFE took the early lead when right midfielder Marsh volleyed home a cross from forward Greg Joseph. SFE dominated, but were held scoreless for the balance of the match. SFE’s defensive line, buoyed by the strong play of sweeper Christian and defensive midfielder Aldrid Toledo, secured the 1-0 win.
Michigan’s MFC 13 pounced on SFE in the second game, charging to a 1-0 lead at the five minute mark. SFE wasted no time rallying when Marsh headed home the equalizer on a cross from left midfielder Ivan Gutierrez. SFE seized control of the match on superior play by midfielders Toledo and Yuri Sachnowski. SFE took the lead after Marsh’s header found the top right corner of MFC’s goal. Marsh’s third goal of the tournament came off a corner from attacking midfielder Giancarlo Freitas, who later bended a magnificent free kick into the top right corner of MFC’s net for a 3-1 win.
SFE advanced to the finals with a 3-0 win over the New Tampa Comets. Freitas spotted SFE a 1-0 lead 13 minutes into the match off a penetrating through ball from Christie. Freitas’ shot hit the lower left corner of the Comets’ goal. Forty seven seconds later, Joseph netted an acrobatic volley on another perfect cross from left midfielder Gutierrez for a 2-0 lead. Joseph scored his second goal on a skillful one-touch pass from Christie to end all scoring.
Co-director of Coaching Pitu Alvarez remarked, "What a final! Both teams played like champions. We are very proud of our boys. They were finalists at the recent CASL Shootout in North Carolina, but did not leave with the win. This tournament, they played outstanding soccer from start to finish and are leaving as champions. We thank Strictly Soccer for a wonderful match, and Score at the Shore for a fantastic tournament."
Picture from left to right: Kneeling - Dylan Angelo, Aaron Braun, Maximilian Smerilli, Noah Canada-Woodstock, Gabriel Menescal, Jared Skinner, Yuri Sachnowski, Xavier Blake, Erick Martinez. Standing – Coach Jorge Alvarez, Aldrid Toledo, Alexander Marsh, Marcus Christian, Greg Joseph, Rashad Christie, Ivan Gutierrez, Samuel Vinson, Giancarlo Freitas.
