GSA U12 Boys Region Cup Report
By: Thomas Laffey

Jonah received a pass from Andrew, made a slashing run towards the endline and sent in a beautiful cross to the far post, where Donovan headed the ball in for a goal seconds before the final whistle. This put the exclamation point on an 8 -2 victory over Ormand Beach Apollo in the opening game of the second round of the Region B Tournament in Merritt Island. Scoring goals in the match were Andrew, Bryce, Jahan (2), Donovan (2), Ahmad, and Brooks.

The boys played a fast paced game with aggressive team play on a cold and rainy Saturday afternoon, and dominated play from whistle to whistle.

The U-12 Attack tied Clay County 3-3 in their second match of the Region B tournament early Sunday morning. Clay County took an early lead as our boys got off to a slow start, but they fought through it and tied the game up with a goal by Brooks shortly before half time.

In the second half, Clay County pulled ahead again, but minutes later the GSA Attack were awarded a penalty kick when Brooks was taken down from behind inside Clay County’s penalty box. Jahan converted the kick tying the game at 2-2.

Clay County pushed ahead again with a third goal, and maintained the one goal advantage with just minutes remaining before the final whistle. But the Attack continued to press, sending a hard shot in on frame from the right wing. The Clay County goalkeeper dove and made the save, but as he landed, he lost control of the ball. An alert Brooks swept in for the tap in, tying the score 3-3, the final result.

Late Sunday afternoon, the Attack faced First Coast in the finalgame of the second round of the Region B Tournament where the winner would move on to Round Three.

First Coast had won their first two games easily, the "Mercy Rule" ending both matches.

The final result was 6 - 0, with First Coast winning the hard fought match. The GSA boys never gave up, and held First Coast to just 2 goals in the second half with Cooper making many outstanding saves.

The boys finished a respectable second in their group with a 1-1-1 record, and are looking forward to carrying the momentum of the Region Cup into the regular season that starts next week.