In fitting fashion, senior Mikhail Awai sparked a second-half offensive surge for the University of North Florida men’s soccer team in its season finale and senior day, and sophomore Adam O’Neill added two goals to lift the Ospreys over Coastal Carolina at Hodges Stadium on Saturday and give UNF its highest win total since making the transition into Division I.
UNF (9-10-0) and Coastal Carolina (8-8-1) battled to a scoreless tie at halftime with the Chanticleers taking six shots, compared to just three by the Ospreys. However, mid-way through the second half, Awai untied the knotted score on a somewhat surprising free kick.
The free kick was set up by a foul that occurred one yard outside the middle of the top of the box during an Osprey attack. The ball was set and ready for play but both teams seemed to be setting their respective plays when Awai swooped in and took the kick. The ball made its way through the unexpecting defense and past keeper Phillip Latham, who was also unprepared for Awai’s surprise.
“It was a very clever play,” Bunch said. “We have seen so often this season that the team that scores the first goal really takes all the momentum. That is what happened with us today.”
The play ignited the UNF squad, which extended its lead a little more than 10 minutes later. On one of the many Osprey runs into Chanticleer territory, sophomore Akil DeFreitas made a pass from the left side of the net to O’Neill, who took a shot from one yard out of the right side of the net, running the score to 2-0.
With less than six minutes left to play, O’Neill found himself in a one-on-one situation with Latham after taking a long pass and dribbling down the middle of the field from 35 yards. Latham came out about 10 yards but could not slow O’Neill and a shot from the left side of the net boosted UNF’s lead to 3-0.
Senior keeper Tony Restino finished the match with five saves, but saw much more action that that stat might indicate. He played a vital role in keeping the Chanticleers off the scoreboard during 10 corner kicks and came out to make several plays on crosses and loose balls.
“Tony really kept us in the game,” Bunch said. “He made a couple of fantastic saves with the score tied at zero and when we were up by only one goal.”
In addition to Awai and Restino, three more Osprey seniors started Saturday’s contest and were honored in a special halftime ceremony. Cord McCoy and Akil Burgen played all 90 minutes in the defensive unit while Oscar Ortiz added 77 minutes and a shot.
“It was a great way to end these guys’ careers, but it is sad to see them go,” Bunch said. “They have set the tone for the underclassmen and their leadership will be missed. Now, it will be up to next year’s squad to uphold the level of play our seniors have established.”
Also serving his last match as an Osprey, student assistant coach Marcelo Marshall will graduate this year and will be missed by both the players and the coaching staff.
“All of the guys really enjoyed working with Marcelo,” Bunch said. “He has done a fantastic job by my side and has made my job much easier. It will be very sad to see him leave.”
One of the underclassmen that will be back in 2009 for the Ospreys, O’Neill increased his team-best season goal total to eight and pushed his career number to 15, which is tied for 10th on the UNF men’s soccer career goals scored list. DeFreitas, whose name also appears in the UNF record book (single season and career game-winning goals), finished the season with team second-bests in goals (6) and assists (2).
“Adam and Akil will be a strong force for us next season as well,” Bunch said. “We have some players that could have made a big impact this season but were redshirted. We need a strong offseason in the weight room to be physically stronger than this season. I think we are headed in the right direction and will be a very competitive team in our first year of full Division I eligibility.”