Storm stunned

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Storm stunned

Sports

Friday, 18 February 2011 14:06

News-Gazette Photo/Andrew Sullivan

Celebration forward Jose Perez (white shirt) slides toward the ball during a recent match at Storm Field. Celebration lost to Cape Coral, 4-0, at the Class 4A state tournament in Tampa.

Cape Coral sails past Celebration at state tourney
By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer
Osceola County’s first appearance in a state-title soccer game will have to wait at least another year.
Celebration, making its first appearance at the state tournament in any team sport, fell to Cape Coral, 4-0, on Thursday in the Class 4A state semifinals at Pepin Stadium in Tampa.
The Storm (16-2-3) got out of its offensive rhythm when Cape Coral (24-1-3) scored just nine minutes into the game after surprising Celebration’s defense by quickly setting up a free kick after a foul 25 yards from the Storm goal.
It was just the third time the team trailed all season, and while it tried to ratchet up the offensive pressure, the Storm managed just two shots on goal against the swarming Seahawks defense.
Cape Coral added three more goals in the second half. The Seahawks play for their first state championship in any sport today at 2 p.m. against Choctawhatchee, a 2-0 winner over Belen Jesuit in Thursday’s other semifinal.
After scoring just three goals in four regional and state playoff games – but winning three thanks to outstanding defensive efforts in the regional round – Celebration will sit home today, looking to next year to try to repeat Orange Belt Conference, district and regional titles.
Six key starters return from this team.
Sophomores John Birchall (goalie) and Dominic Barros (fullback) return to the defense.
Junior Miguel Cortes and sophomore Jhesu Pardo de Figueroa are midfielders, and junior James Anderson and sophomore Jose Perez bring back some scoring punch.