TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Doink, Doink

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

HCA senior Jeff Basciano advances the ball against First Academy of Leesburg Eagles Tuesday evening at the Lions’ Den in Brooksville. Basciano tallied HCA’s lone goal – his 13th of the season – three minutes into the match.

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: December 16, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - First Academy of Leesburg hoped to reverse its current fortunes Tuesday evening at Hernando Christian Academy's Lions' Den.
The Lake County Eagles had dropped its past three matches by a combined, 12-3 count.
First Academy was further frustrated losing four of its past five matches after a 2-0-1 start.
The lone tie? A season-opening 1-1 draw on Nov. 21 against HCA.
On Tuesday, Hernando County's third leading scorer, HCA striker Jeff Basciano, opened the scoring on an unassisted 6-yard effort three minutes into the match.
But before First Academy could sulk, the Eagles quickly countered the other way.
Within 30 seconds, their finest player, senior midfielder Kyle Vann, was fouled just outside the scoring box.
Vann calmly proceeded to tuck a 22-yard free kick just inside the near post for the equalizer.
Unfortunately, that's the way the scoreboard remained ending in the team's second 1-1 draw of the season.
How evenly played was the match?
First Academy (3-4-2 overall) eventually out-shot HCA (4-3-3), 8-7.
Eagle goalkeeper senior Tyler Ross was fortunate that the Lions hit the goal post twice in the second half while collecting three saves. HCA senior keeper Josh Romeo countered with four saves.

Vann chat

What did Vann think after his team fell behind early?
"Last year, we'd get down early and then the other team would score 2-3 more times," recalled the 17-year-old Vann. "It's something we've talked about a lot. It's about fighting the whole game. Tonight, we got down again, but then we corrected some things."
What about his eighth goal of the season?
"I hit it solid," commented Vann. "You have to stay focused for free kicks but you have to be aware of rebounds."
And the draw?
"We'll accept it," he shrugged. "Honestly, we were looking for a win. But we're not going home sad or disappointed."
Kyle's father, First Academy Head Coach Glenn Vann, was asked to evaluate the Eagles' performance.
"There are good ties and bad ties," he pointed out. "But this one is right in the middle. It really was a pretty evenly played match. The only silver lining is they (HCA) hit the post a couple times. Believe me, we'd be a lot more frustrated if it was a 2-1 loss."
Biggest positive?
"This was a back-to-back effort for us," explained Coach Vann about the previous evening's setback. "We played our archrivals last night, who we've never beaten and lost 1-0. We tried to turn it on physically. Maybe we got to 80 percent."

Lions' view

Though HCA played without defenders Nick Adams (death in the family) and Ben West, Lion sweeper Kyle Marra realized his team was inches away from a victory.
"I thought this was a very hard fought match," remarked the 17-year-old Marra. "Tonight we moved the ball well. We possessed pretty well. But No. 13 (Kyle Vann) and No. 1 (Richie Demarco) are both strong players and we had a hard time staying with 'em."
Overall?
"Today was a good tie," he replied. "Sure, everyone wants to win, but it was a hard fought tie."
And Basciano's efforts?
"Jeff (Basciano) is the key to our offense," insists Marra. "He directs well, passes well and attacks well. He does every thing."

HCA 1, First Academy of Leesburg 1 (draw)
FAL 1 0 — 1
HCA 1 0 — 1
Goals – HCA: Basciano.
Assists – FAL: K. Vann HCA: Basciano.
Shots on goal – FAL: 8, HCA: 7.
Saves – FAL: Ross 3; HCA: Romeo 4.
Yellow Cards – Richie DeMarco (persistent infringement).
Blue Cards – none.
Red Cards – none.
Records: First Academy of Leesburg (3-4-2),
Hernando Christian Academy (4-3-3).

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT