In a battle between two teams looking for their first-ever boys soccer state title, it was Ransom Everglades that took the gold, defeating Tampa Catholic 3-2 in the 2A Championship.
The Crusaders got on the board first in the 12th minute, with a goal from leading scorer Taylor Patrick Scott, his 18th of the season, off a corner kick from Kyle Magann. But Ransom Everglades quickly answered, with a great pass from Andrew Geraghty setting up a spin move from Alex Stuart and a brilliantly placed shot into the bottom corner.
The Raiders scored again in the first half, after a foul in the penalty area by Crusaders goalkeeper Anthony Vertino set up a penalty kick. Vertino had already stopped one previous Raiders penalty kick, but this time J.J. Artega converted the attempt for a 2-1 lead.
In the second half, the Tampa Catholic came out on the attack and it quickly paid off, with Bryson Boylan's spectacular header off of Michael Streeter's free kick knotting the game at 2 in the 42nd minute. But Player of the Game Stuart came through big again, with a blast to the back of the net for his 20th goal of the season. The Raiders held off another late charge from the Crusaders to take home the championship.
Both teams ended long title game droughts with their semifinal wins yesterday, with Ransom Everglades making their first championship appearance since 1979, while Tampa Catholic advanced to their first championship since 2000.
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