PHU AND COUNTRYSIDE TIE

This one had all the makings of a classic:

Two defending state champs.

An undefeated season on the line.

The PCAC North County lead up for grabs.

A field teeming with talent.

A fantastic crowd -- easily the biggest I've seen for a local match.

The result? A tie.

Ugh.

PHU's Sebastien Millette scored in the first half but the Cougars battled back and Mike Favero got the equalizer with about 20 minutes to play for the 1-1 draw. Somewhat anticlimactic, but here's 10 observations from a great match.

1) This match wasn't wrapped up with a bow on it, but a tie is almost fitting. These two clubs are state-championship caliber and little -- if anything -- separated them. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, both should go very deep into the playoffs.

2) The level of play on the field was more than impressive. Not a slouch anywhere on either team. There was just two goals scored, but both teams had numerous good looks. PHU's Ishmail Kamara was turned back twice at close range and Eugene Starikov had a pair of headers -- including the second that was tipped away by a remarkable Jeff Antinella save -- just miss the mark. The Cougars' Josh Kent banged one off the crossbar in the first half and Favero narrowly bent one over goal during extra time.

3) PHU's David Cole, who missed the Final Four last year with a meniscus injury, looks completely back to form. His long service from near midfield set up Millette's goal and 12 minutes later from nearly the same spot, he hit Starikov in stride which almost led to a second strike.

4) A little history: PHU was the last team to beat Countryside when the Hurricanes took a 2-1 decision Jan. 13 of last season in a match halted due to lightning. Friday's draw ran C-Side's unbeaten streak to 21 matches dating back to last year. PHU coach Mike Mannino coaches the Clearwater Chargers' U-18 team that includes C-Side players Kyle Kuhlman, Jeff Attinella, Chris Taylor, Eddie Lopez and Favero. That club team also is home for PHU's Eugene Starikov, Nick Eby, Millette and Cole. Talk about familiarity.

5) Despite the intensity of the match, there was a pedestrian amount of yellow cards and no flare ups to speak of. That's a credit to the level of coaching both clubs receive.

6) Speaking of, C-Side coach Dave Sica made a key halftime adjustment. The Cougars started three in the back and that left far too many unmarked opportunities for PHU in the first half. Sica switched to four backs in the second half and the defense tightened.

7) Josh Kent doesn't get the ink of Favero and Kuhlman, but his energy and relentlessness provided a spark up top for C-Side.

8) PHU's tight defensive shape was key. The Hurricanes were rarely out of position and made the Cougars work hard for every scoring chance...

9) Except one time. Leading 1-0 and throwing the ball in from deep in their corner, PHU tossed one in that found Favero's feet. He got loose and ripped a bender off the far post for the equalizer with about 20 minutes to play. One mistake in soccer can be disastrous and that one hurt.

10) So what does this all mean for the PCAC? Well, no one was quite sure. Should both teams win out in the conference, they would be tied thanks to Friday's result. Coaches and school officials were unsure of what the tiebreaker would be, but it was believed to be a coin flip. Stay tuned.

Brandon Wright, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[kick4eva]

awesome match...hopefully the teams can settle the score at the Admiral or Hurricane Watch. Think PHU go the best of them despite the result.

phu stomped them. there going all the way to states again. eugene s. is a machine