Venom Reach Finals of CASL
11/23/2008

November 23, 2008 (Raleigh, NC) - Arlington Venom had won their flight in the Elite Predator division, the top U16 division of the tournament. On Sunday afternoon the Venom then faced off against the HICKSVILLE AMERICAN SC STRIKERS (New York East) in the Elite Predator Finals. Hicksville is currently ranked # 1 in NYEast, #3 in Region 1 and the fourth ranked U16B team in the nation. The Venom scored early in the first half on a goal by Mohamed Khalil assisted by a long ball from Tyler Dunn. Hicksville came back early in the second half with two quick scores and the last thirty minutes of the game was a constant battle with the Venom continuing to push forward and take shots. After ninety minutes of play Hicksville came out on top with a 2-1 win. Even with a loss in the finals, the Venom are quite proud of their play over the weekend. They came into the tournament as a bit of an unknown and left three days later having made a statement that they are up to the challenge of playing with the best.

 

In group play, Venom defeated the ECLIPSE SOCCER 93 ECLIPSE BLACK (TXS) 1-0 on Friday, opening day. The lone goal came off of a header from Andrew Panknen to Michael Dola who put it in the back of the net.

 

In the second match on Saturday, Venom tied TRIANGLE FUTBOL 92 TFC NAVY (NC) 0-0 in a defensive battle. Triangle is a top ranked team coming in at #2 in North Carolina and #18 in Region 3.

 

Sunday morning’s game at 8:00am was against the CHICAGO FIRE JUNIORS RED 11 (IL) another top ranked team who holds the honors of being ranked #1 in Illinois, #1 in Region 2 and #15 in the Nation. The 29° game time temperature didn’t bother the Venom, and surely didn’t bother the Chicago Fire. The first goal was scored by Luis Torres assisted by Michael Dola in the first half. Later in the half the Chicago Fire would score, the only team to score on the Venom in preliminary play. The game ended in a 1-1 tie but the Venom only needed a tie to advance to the finals.

 

The Venom will rest for a week then resume intensive training for the Disney Soccer Showcase in Orlando, Florida, December 27-30.