Pensacola drubs Sowegans SC to clinch East Division title, playoff date with Gaffa
The Pelicans dissected The League for Clubs Gulf Coast Conference East Division rival Sowegans SC 11-0 Thursday; PFC will host West Division runners-up Gaffa FC on Wednesday in a conference semifinal.
Alex Gravel (Georgia Southwestern University), from Dijon, France, scored a hat trick Thursday in the final regular-season match of his first season playing for PFC.
Pelicans nip Lions for East crown, to face Gaffa in playoffs
Pensacola FC snatched a division title from Tallahassee SC in its final regular season match Thursday, routing Sowegans SC 11-0 to go two points ahead of the Battle Lions.
The win clinched The League for Clubs Gulf Coast Conference East Division crown and ensured that PFC (9-1-0, 27 points) will host a conference semifinal match. The Pelicans host West Division runners-up Gaffa FC (6-4-0, 18 points) Wednesday at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium. The Battle Lions (8-1-1, 25 points) will play West winner Union 10 FC (9-1, 27 points) Wednesday at Village Park in Daphne, Ala.
The highest remaining seed will host the conference championship match Saturday or Sunday, July 12 or 13.
Entering the final weekend of the regular season, Pensacola held a slim two-point lead against its in-state rival. Earlier in the year, the teams split their Florida Panhandle 850 Cup matches, each winning on the other’s home pitch — Tally edging PFC 1-0 in Pensacola and the Pelicans claiming the 850 Cup with a 2-0 win at Gene Cox Stadium.
Tallahassee beat East cellar-dweller Valdosta FC (1-9-0, 3 points) 7-1 Wednesday, edging into first place one point ahead of the Pelicans. Pensacola needed a win or draw to claim the crown, but their shellacking of third-place Sowegans (3-6-1, 10 points) left nothing to chance.
Players’ commitment guides PFC success
Pensacola FC coach Dean Logan credited his players’ attitude and commitment to the team and its vision for the Pelicans’ success.
“Yes, the guys have been tremendous all season,” Logan said. “Despite the game-day roster, they have been able to stick to our principles and achieve our team goals and objectives…. I would say that the attitude has been excellent.
“Any coach will tell you how difficult it is to manage personalities and keep everyone happy. All the guys are always ready to play and give their all when called on. Some guys have had to step in and have done a great job when given the opportunity. They all know that as a club we are trying to achieve something special, and they have been very professional about it. So, credit to them, as they are hungry.
“(Now) we get a few days off and get ready for this important match on Wednesday.”
GOAT of the Gulf Coast
Pelicans’ captain Michael Lightbourne, 31, is from Shalimar, Fla., and played at Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and at Missouri State University. The attacking midfielder, whom Logan calls “the GOAT of the Gulf Coast,” scored twice and dished out three assists against Sowegans. He said the team is ready for what’s ahead.
“I think the team is rolling good, tonight felt very good,” he told team owner Justin Witkin after the match during an interview posted on the team’s Instagram site, pensacolafc. “We made a statement tonight; we just have to keep it going heading into the playoffs.”
Axel Gravel (Georgia Southwestern University), a first-year Pelican from Dijon, France, scored a hat trick and added an assist for PFC, while Josiah Fontenot (University of West Florida) had two goals and an assist and Anthony Ciccarello (Florida Gulf Coast University) scored and added an assist. Retsin Kabambala (Cumberland University) and Max Pena-Bu (University of West Florida) each scored, Marcus Pereira (University of West Florida) added two assists, and Baylen Young (Davidson College) contributed an assist.
Facing a familiar foe
The Pelicans have played Wednesday’s semifinal opponent, Gaffa FC from suburban Jackson, Miss., twice already this season, winning 4-2 in the Magnolia State and 3-0 at Ashton Brosnaham.
“Gaffa is a good team,” Logan said. “We know that this match will be challenging…. Although we have faced them before, (and) we are aware of their threats, they are also aware of our threats, and I know they will be a tough opponent.
“As for advantage or disadvantage, it can be both. We just have to be ready. We are not taking them for granted and just have to make sure we execute once we have the opportunity.”
Logan said the key to playoff success is “just to be focused and disciplined for 90-plus minutes,” adding the coaching cliche that the team that makes the fewest mistakes has the best chance to win.
“We want that to be us,” he said.
Team leaders
Bruno Marques (University of the Cumberlands) leads the Pelicans with nine goals, Fontenot has six and Gravel and Rodrigo Bacci (University of West Florida) have five apiece, according to Logan. Gravel also has a team-best seven assists and Bacci has four. Marcus Pereira (University of West Florida), a defensive midfielder, quarterbacks the team, completing 85 percent of his passes.
Defensively, Pensacola has allowed just five goals in 10 matches (compared to 42 scored). Logan credited goalkeepers Gabriel Mendoza (Concordia University of Nebraska) and Cooper Jennings (St. Joseph’s University) and defenders Aaron Boateng (Lincoln University of Missouri), Joao Ribeiro (University of West Florida) and Rodrigo for their mastery winning the ball in duels.
TLfC Gulf Coast Conference
Final regular season standings
EAST DIVISION
1. Pensacola FC, 9-1-0, 27 points, +37
2. Tallahassee SC, 8-1-1, 25 points, +36
3. Sowegans SC, 3-6-1, 10 POINTS, -25
4. Valdosta FC, 1-9-0, 3 points, -33
WEST DIVISION
1. Union 10 FC, 9-1-0, 27 points, +29
2. Gaffa FC, 6-4-0, 18, +18
*3. PFC Academy, 3-5-1, 10 points, -10
4. Gulf Coast United FC, 3-7-0, 9 points, -19
*5. AFC Mobile, 0-8-1, 1 point, -33