ABOVE VIDEO:Head Coach Scooty Carey talking to SpaceCoastDaily following the heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Choctawhatchee in the Florida 3A State Championship. (Video by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Merritt Island Mustangs boys soccer team fell short to Choctawhatchee in overtime 1-0 Friday night.
On a brisk night from Eastern Florida State College’s campus and a great crowd on hand, the Mustangs battled but lacked an offensive attack. With only 5 shots on the night and 1 shot in the second half, Merritt Island didn’t challenge the Indians goalkeeper. Choctawhatchee’s defense proved to be the difference.
By comparison, the Indians had 14 shots on the night and needed no saves by their goalie Jose Mendoza.
A key moment for the Mustangs came when there was a foul on Steven Saunder’s that appeared to be in the box however the official placed the foul outside the box, near the end of regulation.
Merritt Island went on to sail the shot high and wide left.
The difference maker came just 2 minutes into overtime where the Indian’s, Shane Nicholson, got a good look just beyond of the box and ripped one past Mustang’s goalkeeper Bruce Turner for the state championship.
Scooty Carey
“For us to get to this point, to get to overtime, against a team of that caliber, says a lot about these boys,” said Merritt Island Head Coach Scooty Carey.
“We are going to have 9 guys who played substantial time tonight, return next year. The future is bright.”
Coach Carey talked about the admiration he has for the fan support this year,
“It was tremendous and it really means a lot and we really appreciate it.”
The Mustangs finished the year 19-3-1.
(Image by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)(Image by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)(Image by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)(Image by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)(Image by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)(Image by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)(Image by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)(Image by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)(Image by Zach Clark, SpaceCoastDaily)
