USL Match Report

Sunday, November 22, 2009

TAMPA – Schulz Academy’s U15 boys advanced to the knockout phase of the 2009 Super Y-League North American Finals on Sunday, downing Abbotsford Mariners 4-1 at Ed Radice Sports Complex. 

Both teams came into the match tied atop the group with perfect 2-0-0 records. Schulz came into the match in need of a win as Abbotsford held the tiebreaker on goal differential.

The South Florida club broke through after 16 minutes when midfielder Troy Mannheimer lobbed a free kick which found the head of Rory Kane and looped over Mariners keeper Cam Frost. Only two minutes later, striker Andrew Mattach pounced on a poor clearance out of the Abbotsford backline and finished past Frost for the 2-0 lead.

Looking to pad their advantage, Schulz took liberty with their shots, testing Frost from distance a number of times.

Shaky moments ensued for the South Florida club when keeper Akil Shabazz spilled a shot in the 34th minute and dropped a swing cross three minutes later. The Canadians were unable to cut into the lead though before the interval and Shulz went into the half with a 2-0 lead.

The Academy did not let up entering the scone half, keeping pressure on the backline as they looked to build on their advantage. Five minutes in, Jeffrey Michaud broke through down the left flank and put a shot towards substitute keeper Cody Kloosterboer. The netminder got a hand to the attempt but the ball trickled over the line to put the score at 3-0.

Michaud nearly made it 4-0 after firing a blistering shot towards the Abbotsford goal. This time Koosterboer was equal to it, jumping to push the ball just over the bar.

Abbotsford finally tallied in the 58th minute when midfielder Tyson Hunter scored from the penalty spot after teammate Connor Pickering was chopped down by a Shulz defender.

Mariners had a number of decent chances but Shabazz was solid during the second half and kept the Vancouver-based club off of the scoreborad following the penalty kick.

One minute from time, Schulz put the game completely out of reach when Michaud beat a defender in the box and ripped a shot to the side netting, giving Schulz a much-earned 4-1 victory.

Schulz will next take on Group B champions Mountain West FC in the tournament semifinals with Westchester Flames and RSL Florida going head-to-head in the other seminfinal. Both matches are scheduled for Monday at 3:00 pm.