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Macaws, Hawks Win Titles

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By DAREK SHARP

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2008

PLANT CITY - Little could they have known that after winning their first game by a narrow 3-2 score, the rest of the season would come so easily. The Macaws concluded a dominant campaign May 17 as the Under-8 champions of the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department/Optimist youth soccer program.

The Macaws finished the season with a 7-0 record, as did the Hawks in the Under-7 league to win their respective league championships.

With the Under-7 and Under-8 leagues not holding a postseason tournament, the teams with the best regular-season marks are crowned champions.

There was little doubt left in either of the champs' final contests. The Macaws beat the Ducks 8-0 as Luis Leos scored three goals and Alejandra Rivera and Connor Rogers added one apiece.

In seven games, the Macaws outscored their opponents 58-3. In the opening week of the season in March, they edged the Sparrows 3-2, and after that the Macaws allowed just one goal while scoring an average of more than nine per game.

The Sparrows finished in second place with a 5-1-1 record. In the May 17 final game the Sparrows blanked the Roadrunners 3-0 with Daniel Diaz scoring two goals.

Claiming third place were the Geese who were 4-2-1 after their 5-2 defeat of the Falcons. David Cintron scored four goals. The Ducks and Roadrunners finished tied for fourth at 4-3. None of the league's other 10 teams finished with a winning mark.

The Bob O' Links ended on a strong note, getting their first victory of the season by beating the Orioles 3-1. Cristian Rosales netted all three goals.

In the Under-7 age group the Hawks closed out their perfect year with a 9-0 win over the Doves. Paulino Ramirez and Fernando Ruiz scored three goals each.

Two Under-7 teams finished with one loss. Neither the Flamingos (6-1) nor the Mallards (5-1-1) played against the Hawks during the season because there were 12 teams in the age group and not enough weeks for everyone to match up.

Bryan Arteaga scored three goals and Alexis Garcia and Conner Murphy added two apiece as the Flamingos finished with an 8-0 defeat of the Eagles. The Flamingos came into the final week tied for second but ended up alone there because the Mallards were tied 2-2 by the Cardinals.

Finishing in fourth were the Ospreys (5-2), who blanked the Penguins 7-0 in their finale. In other final-week action Jesus Rosales scored six goals as the Meadowlarks flew past the Blue Jays 13-0.

The Under-5 and Under-6 leagues also finished their seasons May 17. No scores are kept in either league because all teams are winners by participating.

The older age groups are conducting their postseason tournaments, which conclude June 3.

Games are played at the Otis Andrews Sports Complex.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampatrib.com.

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