Baker knocks out Cape 2-1
More grit than offensive execution was required for the Ida Baker Bulldogs to edge the Cape Coral Seahawks Wednesday in a boys’ District 4A-11 soccer tournament semifinal match at North Fort Myers’ Moody Field.
When it was over, that style of soccer made the Bulldogs’ 2-1 victory even more rewarding.
As the clock struck zero, the Bulldogs stormed onto the field for a loud and emotional celebration. They clinched their first ever appearance in a district championship game. They’ll face top-seeded Fort Myers at 7 p.m. Friday.
“We knew it was going to be a real scrappy game, it normally always is,” Bulldogs’ second-year coach Mick Whitewood said. “I’m so happy for these guys. It’s awesome to beat the champs.”
Baker and Cape have formed an intense, competitive rivalry over the past two years. The Seahawks (14-4-2) knocked the Bulldogs out of the district tournament last year on their way to the District 5A-15 title. They continued on to the regional finals.
The Bulldogs (20-3-5) had the upper hand this season, defeating Cape three times by scores of 2-1, 2-1 and 3-1.
The third-seeded Bulldogs went ahead of the second-seeded Seahawks, 2-1, with 12 minutes left Wednesday. After a failed corner kick attempt, the Bulldogs had another opportunity along the right sideline, deep in their offensive zone.
Off a set play, junior Daniel Sharkey passed the ball to the center of the box and senior Lando Krumsick headed a shot past Cape goalkeeper Daniel Villamil.
The Seahawks had some chances in the closing minutes to tie the game, but the Bulldogs worked equally as hard defensively.
Sophomore Yuri Bykau broke up one of Cape’s best attacks, and Wade Lynch, Brian Leon and Diego Ferron held their ground in front of goalkeeper Jose Zuniga.
The Seahawks entered the tournament banged up and their challenge became even greater Wednesday, as senior Guillermo Duque battled a hamstring injury, which kept him out the final 26 minutes of the first half.
He returned in the second half, but Cape coach David Torres said he was limited due to the injury.
“He was just out there as a decoy,” Torres said. “He was on one leg.”
Duque gave the Seahawks a spark early on, scoring nine minutes into the match for a 1-0 lead.
Duque had a few other chances in the next five minutes, but aggravated his hamstring on a breakaway run, forcing him to receive medical attention.
The Bulldogs tied it 1-1 near the 20-minute mark of the first half.
Junior Nick Presti fired a shot just inside of the 18-yard box that was quickly knocked down by Cape’s Andrew Gonzalez, who was called for a hand ball inside the box, and the Bulldogs received a penalty kick.
On the PK, Baker’s Harvey Rincon slid the ball to the left side of the net past a diving Villamil, tying the score.
The victory secures the Bulldogs’ first regional appearance.
“This is uncharted territory for us,” Whitewood said, “but the boys are ready. They’ve been ready all year to take it to the next level.”
Fort Myers 5, Mariner 0: The Green Wave outplayed Mariner in Wednesday’s District 4A-11 semifinals, blanking the Tritons to earn a spot in Friday’s championship game against Ida Baker.
“We had opportunities in the last 20 minutes,” said Tritons coach Martin Cardenas. “Enough chances to put a few in the net. We missed a few bouncing balls and things just didn’t go our way tonight.”
Bishop Verot 8, Island Coast 0: The season came to an abrupt conclusion for Island Coast in a shutout loss to District 3A-12 top seed Bishop Verot in the semifinal round Wednesday at Island Coast.
The Vikings face Gateway Charter in Friday’s championship game.