The defending State, Southern Region and National Champion Tampa Bay United Rowdies U17B team started its quest to win back-to-back state cups on April 7. After winning five games to get there, the final four weekend arrived this past Saturday, May 19.

TBU Rowdies were drawn against local club FC Tampa Rangers and the game was played at the Lake Myrtle Soccer complex in Auburndale. The game started with both teams trying to get into a rhythm, but on 28 minutes the game was halted because of lightning. Play resumed after about a 90-minute delay.

At halftime, TBU Rowdies looked clearly on top, but the score remained 0-0. TBU Rowdies scored first through a tremendous goal by Lucas Gobea. Gobea received the ball wide left, cut inside and beat two players with his run, then nutmegged the last defender before finishing with a great shot to beat the keeper and put the Rowdies ahead 1-0.

Fifteen minutes later, FC Tampa equalized from a corner, but TBU Rowdies then picked up the pace again and scored the winning goal with about 10 minutes to go.

Robbie Soronellas burst into the box with a great run, then fed Josh Colledge, who finished from close range. The Rowdies won 2-1 to advance to the final!

On Sunday, the rain threatened at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale again, but there was no lightning, so the State Final v Doral Elite U17 began on time.

Doral started fast but soon the Rowdies took control and had a free kick bound for the top corner saved by the Doral goalkeeper. The game was tied 0-0 at the half and the rain and wind had picked up.

In the second half, the Rowdies continued to go forward and look for the winner, while Doral resorted to pressing and trying to win the ball high up the field. Around the 65th minute, TBU Rowdies’ Zach Board was played in by Ethan Figgener. Board chased down the ball, won it from the Doral defender, then beat two players to get into the box. Board was brought down from behind and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot for a penalty.

Up stepped Colledge, who had scored the winning goal the day before. He slotted the penalty home and TBU Rowdies were up 1-0. Doral tried to push forward to get the equalizer and were left thin at the back.

TBU Rowdies had three great chances to extend their lead with Doral down to 10 men, following a red card for a second yellow infraction, but the Doral keeper made some great saves. The TBU Rowdies defense stood strong, as they always do and earned the shutout victory, 1-0 to finish their back-to-back State Champions run.

The TBU Rowdies U17B, coached by Kelvin Jones, have already earned a trip to the USYSA Nationals in Frisco, Texas in July, along with winning the inaugural Boys ECNL Southeastern Conference. The team will go the ECNL regionals in June to try to reach ECNL Nationals as well.

The team, all local players, in alphabetical order is: