By Ron Hillis
The Bayside U17 boys’ soccer team, the Thunder, made their 2008 season tournament debut this Labor Day Weekend in Atlanta with a semi finalist position in the premier division of the Atlanta Cup under new Coach Ken McDonald. The Thunder won their bracket securing a place in the final four on the first day by beating the defending Georgia state champions, the Georgia Soccer Alliance 2-0 and following that with a 2-1 win over the Georgia Fusion also a state cup final four team. Mitch Hagood scored both goals in the first win on assists from Diego Figueroa and Doug Overlade. The Thunder fell behind early in the next game to a talented Fusion team but a late first half chip shot goal by Diego Figueroa and a controlled dribble into the net by midfielder Jack Begley at the 12 minute mark of the second half made the score 2-1. Back defenders Zach Woodson and Hunter Hillis led by sweeper Josh Suelflow, plus outstanding goal keeper play from Tyler Willets turned away numerous late scoring attempts. On Sunday the Thunder played the Memphis Gryphons to a 0-0 tie and later that day lost in overtime to the Mississippi state champion team, the Fire from Jackson. The Thunder appeared to have the go ahead with a penalty kick resulting from the goalkeeper’s tackle of forward Jack Shows in a futile attempt to block his shot but Diego’s PK was blocked by the falling goalkeeper. The Thunder’s success is matched by Coach McDonald’s other team, the US Deaf Soccer Team, that recently finished in the final four of the World Cup Deaf games in Greece. The 2008/09 Thunder is composed of Diego Figueroa, Tyler Willets, Danny Gibble, Doug Overlade, Blake Trotter, Josh Suelflow, Hunter Hillis, Ryan Schuler, Steven Vernalli, Zach Woodson, Chance Winn, Mitch Hagood, Nick Green, Max Gerky, Jack Shows, Kenneth Collins, Jack Begley, and Erik Mayfield. The Thunder’s next scheduled tournament appearance is the Central Florida Shootout in Orlando on Sept 27/28.
