The Weston U11 Boys Premier team headed into the Region “A” Tournament on a high note after winning the SFUYSA Div. 1 Playoffs.

In the first round of play, Weston was put in a group with only three teams (top two advancing) and was given the unenviable task of being the team that had to play two games in one day.  The first game was against Coast To Cost Bandits where Weston was able to control the game from the beginning and stayed ahead of a sporadic CTC team with the game ending 7-3.  Three hours later the Fury took the field against the Renegades, where they started the game strong and were able to go ahead by one goal in the first half.  Unfortunately playing against a fresh team, the Fury started to run on fumes in the second half and gave up a goal in the waning minutes of the game to close the game out with a tie 1-1.  Renegades would go on to defeat CTC 3-1 on Sunday ending with the same amount of points as the Fury in pool play.

 

Due to the Tie-break rules Weston Fury U11 Boys Premier were placed second in the group meaning that their road to Region “A” Cup would be more difficult as now they would more than likely have to face their three toughest opponents (from the regular season) if they were going be Champions.  As they say “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”, and it was time for the Fury to step up to the plate.

 

In the quarterfinals the Fury played Kendal Coalition Yellow, a team that had always played well and given the Fury a run for their money. Weston started the game strong with a quick goal at the start of the game.  For the rest of the half the teams exchanged opportunities with no change to the score.  Early in the second half the Fury were able to repeat their magic and score providing a little cushion and forcing Kendal to have to attack more.  With this change in strategy the Fury were able to exploit Kendal’s defense and finished the game strong with two additional goals for a 4-0 win.

 

In the Semi-finals the Fury would have to play an extremely tough East Broward United team, which had taken Weston to overtime in the SFUYSA Playoff Finals a few weeks before.  For the last few years EBU has been the team that has given Weston their toughest competition with the games always providing huge emotional swings.  This game would not disappoint.  EBU took the lead mid way through the first half “down the roller coaster went”, causing the Fury to have to lift their game, but there was plenty time left on the clock.  The Fury would equalize about ten minutes later relieving some of the chest pains from the Fury fans, but the stress level was still high. Early in the second half the Fury went up 2-1, and started to control more of the possession, but could not add any cushion to their lead.  Then the dagger came down hard as EBU equalized with 5 minutes left in regulation.  “Break out the paddles, the patient has gone into cardiac arrest.”, The fans blood pressure sky rocketed, something had to be done quickly as there was little time left.  Then with about a minute left in regulation Weston scored to go up 3-2.  Only one minute left to hold on, could we survive?  About the time everyone expected the Referee to blow the final whistle he instead held up three fingers indicating that there were three more minutes left to play and each second felt like an hour.  Hold on to your seats the rollercoaster is going for another spin and we all wanted to get off.  After what seemed like an eternity, and multiple assaults on the Weston net, the Fury stood firm and ended the game 3-2 victors over the most worthy opponent. Several of the parents had done enough walking on the sidelines that new shoes were needed and blood pressure pills were being popped like popcorn at a movie, but the Cardiac Kids had done it again and off to the Region A Finals they went.

 

In the finals Weston would play Coconut Creek Prowlers the only team to defeat the Fury in the regular season.  This time though the Fury were ready for the challenge and controlled the entire game. At the final whistle the Fury won 5-1 and at the end of the Road to Region “A” was a pot of Gold.

 

The Fury U11 Boys Premier are:

JAVIER CLAVIJO, ALEX JAROSCAK, GABRIEL PEDRAZA, GAREK MAINGOT,

ISMAEL LONGO, RHYS WILLIAMS, RENZO EDERY, RICARDO CASTRO,

JONATHAN NUNES, NIKKI PAPPACENA, GABRIEL GONGORA, RINALDI ALPHONSE