Many have claimed that Punta Gorda is known for extreme thunder and lightning storms, but today it was crystal clear waters and sunshine blue skies – perfect for a relaxing day at Toledo?s Union Field where the battle for third place was between Silver Creek and Punta Gorda?s Jah Roots. The highly favored Jah Roots came to the field believing that Silver Creek was here to settle for fourth place and only fielded eight players. They soon found out otherwise, when Silver Creek started the shelling. Benedicto Yatz opened up in the 17th minute for Silver Creek with Jah Roots? Jerdy Flores equalizing in the 21st. With a full eleven against eight, Jah Roots managed to go ahead 2?1 a minute later when Ashley Pratt split the uprights. Leonardo Choco tied it up at 2?2 in the 33rdminute to end the half deadlocked. Five minutes into the second half, Silver Creek?s Sebastian Choco gave them what they thought was a comfortable 3?2 lead, only to have Jerdy Flores step up for his second and final goal for the equalizer. Ernesto Teul?s goal in the 64thminute and Sebastian Choco?s in the 75thdrove Jah Roots to retreat and succumb to a 5?3 loss to the Silver Creek squad. In the championship game, the heavily favored Cosmos of Punta Gorda?s Dump Area fell to the Mavericks of Eldridge Village, 2?1. Anthony Ramclam scored a beautiful bicycle kick from inside the eighteen-yard box at the 25thminute that had Cosmos goalkeeper Jamie Tansley looking helplessly as the nets shook behind him. Good things, they say, come in pairs. Seven minutes later, in the 32ndminute, Ramclam was at it again, taking a shot which deflected off the upright and caromed off Tansley?s back and into the goal for the quick two-nil lead. It wasn?t until the last minute of the first half when Cosmos Fabian Oriallano scored to cut the lead. The second half was, for the most part, loaded with several attacks for the equalizer by Cosmos, but the Maverick defenses held up and rejected Cosmos? attempts at equalizing, taking the two thousand dollar first prize check.
