PBFC Claims Gold at the 3v3 Championship in Disney
Volume II

June 28, 2007

Orlando, FL. - PBFC (soccer) - PAL Hammerheads sent seven teams to the 3v3 national tournament played in Disney and surprised many with their play. Only in their forth month of existence, the Hammerheads claim one national title and qualify at least two teams for the World Cup to be held at Disney in January 2008.

The organization started with only two teams but quickly grew to six teams. The objective was simple, teach the game of soccer to players that wanted enhance their knowledge of the game and to compete against other teams from around the area.

There were many disappointments during the first three tournaments but the players kept pushing themselves to learn more and become better players.  As each tournament passed, it was apparent that the player’s confidence began to grow. Skill levels increased which showed during practice. Our philosophy is that we strongly believe that young people should practice this sport enjoying themselves, learning to socialize with team mates and new friends and to measure themselves with victories and defeats.  Even though all seven teams qualified for Nationals, the tournament play was far from acceptable. There was a distinguishable difference between the Hammerhead players and the competition.  During the final two weeks of practice prior to Nationals, something different was happening to the players, they began to gel as a team. This was evident with the under 16 players. They were now meeting on Sundays holding their own practices.

Many of the other players from the under 12 and under 14 teams were hanging around with one another during their off time. The saying “one for all and all for one” now had meaning within the Hammerhead family.  The time finally arrived and the Hammerheads were now northbound on the Florida turnpike heading to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. On Friday, July 27th, every Hammerhead team took to the field. They fought hard against teams from Florida, other southern states and Canada.

By Saturdays end, the play of two teams emerged with a guaranteed place at the World Cup in January 2008. Both of those teams were from the under 16 bracket. The girl’s team had completed their play on Saturday with a 5th place finish. The under 14 coed and the under 16 boys had one final match to play on Sunday.  An under 14 coed team win, would mean a 5th place finish and qualification for the World Cup. The under 14’s played with heart and courage and competed to the final whistle. In the end the team from Coconut Creek emerged with the win and fifth place for the under 14 recreational division. The best tournament by far by this team.The road to a title is always difficult; the under 16 boys had to play at their highest level for every match. Their road to the final match only saw one blemish on their record. They lost to the Hinesville Gators from Georgia in a preliminary match. The Gators played a very physical game and battered the Hammerhead players. It was the most physical match the Hammerheads played to date.

The Hammerheads were down by 4 goals when the game was stopped due to weather, with five minutes remaining. Almost two hours later the final whistle blew with the Hammerheads losing by one. Their character began to show.  A win Saturday night would put the Hammerheads into the finals.  The undefeated Alachua County Recreational FC (ACRFC) faced the Hammerheads with the winner playing in the championship match.

Until this match, ACRFC had no problem winning their matches. What they did not expect was how focused the Hammerheads were for this match.   The Hammerheads played the best game the team had ever played. Everything they did that night was almost perfect.  The Hammerheads were not going to be denied a chance to play in the firstever championship match the organization has competed for. The final score of that match was PBFC-Hammerheads 4 ACRFC 2. The coach from ACRFC advised Coach Elder that the Hammerheads had scored as many goals in this one game than ACRFC had surrendered the entire tournament. The Hammerheads had earned their place in the final.  The final match for Hammerheads had them in very unfamiliar waters, playing for the first ever championship of the organization. The Hammerhead, like the predator shark it is, quickly became familiar with their territory. The Hammerheads faced the Gators again. The players were not going to be intimidated by the Gators and immediately set the tempo of the game.

The Hammerheads took control of the game from the onset and kept the pressure on the Gator players for the entire match. When the Gators attempted to get physical to change the course of the match the Hammerheads responded. The intensity could be compared to blood in the water with a Hammerheads close by.

They swarmed all over the Gators looking to strike on every opportunity. As the first half ended the Hammerheads had out shot the Gators by almost a 3 to 1 ratio. The only thing that did not go right for the Hammerheads in that first half was that they could not put the ball in the net. Multiple shots struck the post but the back of the net was elusive.At half time, Coach Elder advised the team not to let up and continue their relentless pressure on the Gators from the first half. As the second half started you could see the Gators players were bewildered. The Hammerheads continued their onslaught of pressuring the defense and continued to hammer away at the Gator goal with numerous shots just wide or striking the post. Many began to wonder if the Hammerheads would ever get the ball into the goal. With approximately five minutes left in the game and the Gators at midfield,Andrew Green stole the ball, traveled down the left side of the field and struck the ball. The ball traveled approximately fifteen yards, went between the defenseman’s legs and rattled the back of the net. The crowd went wild. The Hammerheads had the lead with time running out. Jon Stafford, Juan “Carlos” Mondragon and Ryan Hightower were effective players that caused havoc while on the field. In the final minutes, Kevin Waiante was finally drawn out of position, the ball was crossed and a Gator player struck the ball at the goal, as the ball was about to enter the goal box when Conor McLaughlin slid across the goal box, deflecting, the for sure goal, out to the right.  Kevin Waiante protected the Hammerhead goal not allowing the ball to enter the net until the final whistle.

Players and fans of the Hammerheads stormed onto the field and the celebration began. As both teams met, for the final time to exchange hand shakes the referee commented to Coach Elder, that this match was the best match he had refereed in a long time. The final score was Hammerheads 1 - Gators 0. A fitting way to win a National Championship in only their forth month. Congratulations to the 2007 3v3 Recreational  under 16 CHAMPIONS, Andrew Green, Coner McLaughlin, Ryan Hightower, Jon Stafford, Juan “Carlos” Mondragon, Kevin Waiante and the coaching staff. 

The Hammerheads are taking the month of August off. All players are expected to prepare and excel in their academics as school starts. Practice will begin on or about September 4th, preparing the teams for more tournaments and preparation for the teams that qualified for the World Cup.