First-half goals lift Seabreeze over FPC in Five Star Conference boys soccer tournament

Captain Brian Dunlop gave Seabreeze all the scoring it would need with a first-half goal in the box. Michael Hogan added a score later in the half, and the Sandcrabs held on for a 2-0 victory over Flagler Palm Coast in a Five Star Conference first-round boys soccer game on Jan. 8 at Mainland High School.

The fourth-seeded Sandcrabs improved to 6-3-1 and advanced to a semifinal matchup against top-seeded Spruce Creek on Jan. 12. This is the first year the conference is holding a tournament. The final is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 14 at Embry-Riddle.

Fifth-seeded FPC fell to 9-6-2 a day after defeating Deltona, 3-2. Schmidt Joseph scored two goals against Deltona, while Myles Clymer scored his ninth goal of the season. Joseph scored the game-winner with about four minutes left.

But FPC could not get on the scoreboard against the Sandcrabs, who notched their second shutout in a row. Seabreeze controlled possession throughout the first half.

"The first line of defense is your your attack," Seabreeze coach Jon Kinsler said. "If you can keep (the ball) on the other side of the field, it gives your team confidence."

Cole Miller had the assist on Hogan's goal.

"Enrique Thompson made the first run and pulled the defender out, and Hogan made the second run behind the defender," Kinsler said.

Hogan, who is left-footed, scored with his right foot.

The Bulldogs were able to keep possession more in the second half. But they had trouble getting shots on goal.

"Our goalkeeper (AJ Cole) and back line kept it organized. That was our bright spot in the second half," Kinsler said.

"We wasted the first half. We were flat," FPC coach Ramtin Amiri said. "We were better in the second half but not up to the level we needed to be."

The Bulldogs lost freshman forward Mikhail Zyzek for the season with a hip fracture in the Mike Stone Invitational at Tavares during the winter break.