SAC United Premier Boys U-18 Capture Fourth State Crown
After losing in the Championship game last year in PKs to the Baltimore Bays, SAC United Premier 90-91 reclaimed the Maryland State Cup Championship on Saturday, May 30 with a 3-0 victory over the Freestate Blazers in the U18
Boys division.
The United got on the scoreboard in the first half on a cross from Phil Martinelli to Jake Pace. After beating his defender on the endline, Martinelli sent a beautiful ball to the far post which Pace put away on a skillfully placed, decisive header. The duration of the first half featured goalkeeper Paul Killian patrolling the backline with an organized, well-managed game plan that kept the Blazers at bay. Working in sync with Killian, defenders Jason McCarron, Roston Moore, Garrett Nickles, and Tommy Schaeffler were very effective in shutting down the Blazers' high-powered attack. Midfielders Daniel Benitez, Edwin Granados and Luis Mendoza initiated several quality chances on the outside, sending well-timed through balls to the attack. The score would stand at the half 1-0.
The United kept pressuring the Blazers' defense in the second half, making penetrating runs and generating many offensive chances. Midfielder Matt Seinfeld scored the second goal on a set piece from Garrett Nickles. Seinfeld ran onto a ball played smartly over the Blazers last line of defense, finishing the ball perfectly to the lower left corner. Nickles would almost score later in the half on a free kick rocketed off the crossbar from more than 40 yards out. After the second goal the United maintained their intensity in the midfield as Seinfeld, Martinelli, Pace, Ricky Cantore, and Mike Doyle won the majority of possession and initiated the attack. The United's final goal of the game began on a run in which striker Wils Alpern side-stepped his defender and went one on one with the Blazers goalkeeper. After beating the goalkeeper with a deft move, Alpern was about to finish the ball into the empty net when he was taken down from
behind by the goalkeeper in an effort to prevent the goal. A penalty kick was awarded and team captain Jason McCarron stepped up and iced the game by finishing the ball high and left with authority.
The victory sends the United to the Region 1 Championship, which will take place in West Virginia from July 2-7. The United, coached by Rick Cantore and Tommy Farran, finishes a Maryland State Cup run as four time State
Champions, two time State Finalists, and one time State Semi-finalist over the course of their history since Cup play began at U12. Howard County players on the United's roster include: Daniel Benitez (Centennial), Ricky
Cantore (River Hill), Mike Doyle (River Hill), Ryan Ferrera (Glenelg), Vince Garofalo (Mount St. Joe), Paul Killian (Marriotts Ridge), Phil Martinelli (Marriotts Ridge), Roston Moore (River Hill), Jimmy Mundy (Centennial), Garrett Nickles (Mt. Hebron), Jake Pace (River Hill), and Matt Seinfeld (Wilde Lake.)
