2000 STEWART CUP

Maryland's Amateur Competition

BROOKLAND UNITED LIFTS CUP

Brookland United of the Mid-Maryland Soccer Association outlasted Christos of the Maryland Major Soccer League in penalty kicks to take the Stewart Cup.  After a thrilling 4-4 match in regulation, Brookland and Christos went scoreless in the overtime period and in the 6^th round of penalty kicks, United finished with a 3-2 advantage thanks to the fine work in goal by keeper Frank Callocchia.

Brookland took an early lead with two quick strikes from midfielder Matt Lasechi in the 3^rd and 5^th minutes of the match.  Both goals were results of give-and-goes from striker Grunda Jamaas.  Christos reduced the lead by one in the 26^th minute as Luke Bell took a pass from Bob Wagner and lofted the ball over the rushing Callocchia.  But a few minutes later at the opposite end, Jamaas took a shot from the right side that Christos keeper James Haislip was able to deflect only to have Ken Jones run from the weak side and knock in Brookland’s third goal into an empty net.  The half ended 3-1.

The second half started as furious as the first half.  Jamaas tried to flick the ball over a stretching Haislip in the 2^nd minute only to see it go over the crossbar.  Christos had two quick opportunities in the 18^th and 19^th minute of the half with shots from Jody Haislip and Bell going wide of the post.  Bell had another opportunity down the left flank 10 minutes later but was cut off by defender Sean Costanza.  Mike Libber sent a blistering shot into the lower right corner that was stopped by a diving Callocchia in the 30^th minute.  But in the 33^rd minute, Christos’ unrelenting pressure finally paid off as Jody Haislip weaved through the defense and was tripped by United defender Ken Stadlin on a late slide.  Libber put the penalty shot towards the left post that was slightly deflected by Callocchia but still made it through to cut the lead to 3-2.

The last 10 minutes of the match were nerve wracking.  In the 35^th, a long clear was sent towards the Brookland end that forced Callocchia to leave the penalty area and attempt a clear.  A miskick gave an open net opportunity to Bell, who tied it at 3-3.  Then, United takes the ensuing kickoff, rushes the ball downfield to Ryan Kelly whose volley is flipped over the crossbar by James Haislip.  In the 40^th minute, Christos makes it a complete comeback when Jorge Stecco sends his corner kick past the opposite post that is connected with a sizzling volley from Jody Haislip.  Christos went ahead for the first time in the match.  In the dying seconds of the match, United had one last chance on a corner kick from Kelly.  The kick bounced off a Christos defender and was redirected by Jones towards the goalmouth.  Brookland midfielder Chris Wilson pounced upon the ball and kicked it towards the net to keep his club alive.  

The 30-minute overtime period saw some opportunities for both sides but as it came near the end, it was obvious that legs were tiring out.  The finalists lined up for the dreaded penalty kicks.  Kelly put United ahead in the first round as Callocchia saved Jorge Stecco’s attempt.  Haislip then stopped Wilson’s shot as Chris Constantino tied it in the second round.  Both keepers stopped the 3^rd round shots but Jamaas and Libber made good on their attempts in the 4^th round.  In the final round, Haislip dove to his right to block Tim Brooksbank’s shot while Callocchia got his foot on Jody Haislip’s attempt to send it to the sudden death rounds.  Ken Jones stepped up for United and calmly put his side ahead again.  Luke Bell took the next shot for Christos and put the ball towards the left post only to see Callocchia’s outstretched arm deflect his shot.

The victory gave Brookland its first Maryland cup title.  The Cup is named after Harry Stewart, a benefactor to the sport in Maryland in the early part of the last century who donated the trophy for the competition.  The competition was first played in 1932.  Christos defeated United two weeks ago in the semifinal of the Rowland Cup, Maryland’s open competition, and will play the final on May 14^th against league rival Bill Batemans at Banneker Field, 1:00.

RECAP

Final Score: 4-4 (3-2 penalty kicks in favor of Brookland United)

First Half: 3-1 Brookland United

3^rd: Matt Lasechi (assist Grunda Jamaas) Brookland

5^th: Lasechi (Jamaas) Brookland

26^th: Luke Bell (Bob Wagner) Christos

28^th: Ken Jones (Jamaas) Brookland

Second Half: 4-4

33^rd: Mike Libber (PK) Christos

35^th: Bell Christos

42^nd: Jody Haislip (Jorge Stecco) Christos

44^th: Chris Wilson (Jones) Brookland

Overtime Periods 1 & 2: 4-4

Penalty Kicks: 3-2 Brookland United

Referee: Jim Quinn

Assistant Referees: Dan Lukash & Muhamad Marwan

Location: Banneker Field, Catonsville, Maryland

Attendance:  125

2000 Stewart Cup - Results of all rounds

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