- November 5, 2024
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It was a frantic final five minutes Tuesday night while Matanzas led Flagler Palm Coast, 2-1, as the seconds ticked off the clock. But a great individual effort by FPC’s Drew Jones and a defensive meltdown by the Pirates opened the door for the Bulldogs to score two goals at the death and win Flagler’s version of El Clasico, 3-2, in front of a rowdy crowd at Matanzas High School.
“To be honest, we had never been in that situation this year,” FPC coach Noah Braun said after the game, in regard to overcoming a deficit. “It’s good. We tell the boys that every game is an opportunity to learn, to grow. It’s a journey. So, this game offered us something different than what we’ve been in before.”
After some play in the middle of the field, Matanzas (3-3) took an early 1-0 lead after Eric Descartes found the net from about 25 yards away about nine minutes into the match.
The Pirates had another scoring opportunity about two minutes later on a defensive miscue by the Bulldogs, but the shot dribbled past the far post.
Following a few missed opportunities by both teams, FPC forward Johnny Osorio got fouled near the top of the 18-yard box. After staying down momentarily from getting hacked in the ankle, Osorio stepped up for a free kick from about 25 yards away.
Off the right edge of the box, Osorio’s screamer whizzed past Matanzas keeper Josh Holbrook, who was unable to stretch out long enough to get a fist on the ball.
With 14:59 left in the first half, FPC and Matanzas were deadlocked at 1-1.
With about seven minutes to play in the first half, FPC’s Danevsky Joseph was in on a breakaway, but Holbrook came charging out to parry the ball away. Holbrook was injured on the collision, however, and was would leave for the game.
Holbrook’s injury added to another blow to an already decimated Matanzas roster. According to Pirates coach Rich Weber, he already has five players out because of injuries.
But in came backup keeper Daniel Cerdeira, who was tested immediately as the first half came to a close, but he passed the early tests.
At halftime, even though Matanzas had the better of the possession, the score remained 1-1.
It was more back-and-forth play to open up the second half.
Then, about 15 minutes in, Matanzas midfielder Josh O’Hara found winger Dakotah Casale on a searching ball. Dakotah did the rest, calmly tucking the ball in the far side panel to stake the Pirates to a 2-1 lead.
Weber — and the Pirates — were in the driver’s seat.
“We didn’t sit in, we wanted to go (after more goals),” Weber would say after the game. “We want to attack because it’s leading to where we want to go. We have to learn to put teams away.”
Through the early part of the season, though, the young Pirates have struggled with finishing the 80 minutes.
Most of the play remained in the center of the field through the final 25 minutes, including some clutch saves by Cerdeira, who came in cold off the bench.
With about five minutes to go, however, FPC’s Jones found the ball at his feed about 20 yards from goal. Nifty footwork gave him enough space to rip a knuckling shot on target. Cerdeira was able to get a hand on it, but it was too much, as the ball landed in the side netting.
Jones tallied the equalizing goal with about 4:34 left in the game.
With the score level, Casale ran onto a long ball and then spinned a dangerous ball into FPC’s box, but Descartes’ header went over the top of the crossbar.
Moments later at the other end of the field, Matanzas was awarded a goal kick after Osorio launched a shot over the top of the goal.
But there was miscommunication and the goal kick was mishit and fell short to Osorio.
A few touches later, Osorio unleashed a shot from about 30 yards away that Cerdeira deflected into the goal.
FPC (6-0-1) led crosstown Matanzas, 3-2, as the red numbers on the scoreboard at Matanzas showed 1:30 remaining.
Matanzas couldn’t respond, losing El Clasico for the second year in a row. (The series is now tied, 3-3-1.)
“A little adversity early isn’t a bad thing,” Weber said. “It’ll make us a little hungrier. But I’m really encouraged.”
FPC did throw more players forward toward the end of the match, Bruan said.
“It really didn’t matter if we were going to lose by one goal, or two or three,” he said. “We wanted to see if we could pull one back, and it was a great response from the players. We showed some character.”
After the game, the players smiled as they shook each other’s hands — specifically congratulating Cedeira.
Both Braun and Weber know the rivalry is great for the schools and the community.
“There are little one-on-one battles,” Braun said. “I think (the players) enjoy it because it gives them something to talk about afterward. They’ll be chatting on Facebook — they’ll probably spend the night at each other’s houses this weekend. It’s fantastic.”
Although the end result wasn’t what Weber was hoping for, he also understands the importance of this game on the grand scheme of things.
He said this will be another learning experience for his team, and it gives them a chance to buy into the one-word team mentality: courageous.
“It’s a common theme with this team that I do,” Weber said. “It’s specific for the youth. There’s a tendency (for players) that when a few things go wrong, (they) take a step back.
At the end of the 80 minutes, Weber said the ultimate goal is to grow young men.
“Fail being brave and courageous, and I will have no issues with that,” he said.
