Major Beach Soccer News Release
Sunday, December 18, 2011
CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. – Florida Beach Soccer FC made a first-period goal by Fainor stand up as they took the Major Beach Soccer Men’s National Championship with a 1-0 victory against Team Spartan on Sunday afternoon on Clearwater Beach.
Fainor was on hand to capitalize after Oscar Gil’s shot came to him a yard from goal to tap home. The breakthrough, five minutes into the game, capped a spell of early pressure by the Miami side that the Spartans withstood well until FBSFC got their break.
“That’s the sort of ball where you always try to hit the target because the ball could bounce anywhere,” Gil said. “Luckily [Fainor] was there and it went in, that’s how it goes.”
FBSFC was patient trying to create opportunities, and their experience with U.S. Beach Soccer National Team member’s Gil and Francis Faberoff showed as they were able to carve out chances in both the first and second quarters. Spartans goalkeeper Ryan Lovell was up to the challenge, though, making a number of outstanding saves to keep his side in the game.
The Spartans were also able to create opportunities of their own, with Darus Ward firing over the bar from the left side with a strong effort and Matthew Vandermeer seeing an opportunity go begging when he lost his marker late in the first quarter.
FBS continued to carry more of the game, but as the game wore on the intensity rose. Both sides hit the post, Gil going close for FBS and Ward for the Spartans. FBS had a chance to put the game away with a minute to go, missing a penalty kick, but the Spartans were unable to find an equalizer, giving FBS the championship.
The Spartans had taken a dramatic victory to reach the final earlier in the day, Tanner Higgins’ goal in the final minute of overtime earning a 6-5 victory against Calvary Christian. Matthew Kaminski had a hat trick to lead the Spartans to a 5-1 lead after two periods, but Calvary scored four third-period goals capped by a pair from Yuri Morales to send the game to overtime.
Members of the Michigan State club soccer team, the Spartans were pleased that they had reached the national championship game in their first season playing beach soccer.
“This was a lot of fun,” Lovell said. “In the future I can definitely see us playing in a couple more tournaments and coming back here, everybody had a lot of fun.”
FBS had an easier time in their semifinal, Gil scoring five goals and Fainor a hat trick in a 10-0 victory against the Quik Hands Galacticos, but after a strong test in the final Gil was glad to have taken home victory.
“It just proves that right now we’re the best side in the United States for beach soccer,” Gil said. “This was a great end, and a great start to 2012.”