Indialantic Force soars to soccer tournament title
FOR FLORIDA TODAY • September 22, 2009
The Indialantic Force Under-12 girls’ competitive soccer team is off to a fantastic start to the 2009 season.
Coached by Jay Karlovitch and John Williammee, the team claimed the championship by placing first in the Under-12 Continental division at the 11th annual Girls Labor Day Challenge on Sept. 7.
The Force tied Space Coast 2-2 in the first game and defeated the Cooper City Red 6-0 in the second game. In the final game of Group A play, the Force beat Creeks Clash White, 5-0, a win that catapulted the Force into the tournament semifinals.
Facing the Group B winner Renegades, Force goalkeeper Krista Kihlander held the opposition scoreless through regulation, then blocked a final penalty kick shot to send Indialantic through to the championship game against the Space Coast Storm.
Shelby Freeman of Indialantic used some amazing throw-ins and penalty kicks to help the Force into a 2-2 at the end of double overtime.
The Force’s Lauren Williams, a strong defensive player, then rocketed a shot from mid-field, sailing it into the net and handing Indlalantic the title.
“We have the best possible players with talent and desire since the inception of the team,” Karolvitch said.
Karolvitch credits the dedication of the parents and the hard work of the girls. The team has sponsors which keep costs down.
Karolvitch said last season’s countywide ranking for the Force has fueled the momentum for this season and expectations are high.
In the squad’s first tournament this summer, the Force finished third in the Flagler Invitational, narrowly missing second following a 2-1 loss in the playoffs.
Indialantic’s Under-19 boys’ State Cup Team defeated Satellite Beach, 1-0, to win the final of the Fusion FC Puma Labor Day Tournament in Tampa.