2007-2008 - Northeast Raiders

2007-2008

Lakeland Beat Once Again

Raiders 4, Lazers 3

LAKELAND -- The Raiders U-12 Boys rediscovered their offensive touch on Sunday, Dec. 3, scoring a 4-3 victory against the Lakeland Lazers at Lake Parker Complex.

After consecutive shutout losses -- in the semifinal of the Plantation Thanksgiving tournament and in their return to league play against Clearwater -- the Raiders sprinted to early goals and a 3-1 halftime lead. The Raiders surrendered two second half goals, the second coming just after the water break, but held off the Lazers the rest of the way.

St. Pete advances to a 3-2 record. The Raiders return to Premier Division play on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Puryear Park. They face the Braden River Rage at 2:30 p.m.

St. Pete splits weekend pair

Raiders 5, Rage 2 --- Outlaws 3, Raiders 1

ST. PETERSBURG – A balanced and efficient attack led the U12 Raider boys to a 5-2 victory against the Braden River Rage on Saturday Dec. 8 at Puryear Park.

St. Pete also benefited from sturdy efforts along the backline and in goal, advancing its USA Premier Division record to 4-2.

St. Pete used a crisp, disciplined start to move to a 2-0 lead. Braden River rebounded to tie at 2-2 just before the half, but the Raiders quickly retook the lead with a goal early in the second half, and pulled away from there. Five different players scored in the game.

OLDSMAR – The U12 Raider boys lost to the Oldsmar Outlaws 3-1 at Canal Park on Sunday, Dec. 9, to drop their USA Premier Division record to 4-3.

The Raiders trailed 1-0 after a closely matched first half, in which they likely produced the most scoring opportunities but could not come up with a finishing play.

Oldsmar struck quickly for two more goals early in the second half before St. Pete’s advances finally yielded a result. The Raiders again carried their share of the play against one of the division leaders, but could not cut into the deficit further.

Up next, St. Pete travels to Tampa to face HCU Red on Saturday, Dec. 15, for their final game before the holiday break. Starting time for the game at the Ed Radice Complex is noon.

Clearwater Wins In Late Night Battle

Raiders O, Chargers 2

ST. PETERSBURG - A school-night match at Puryear Park proved difficult for the Raiders. The same Clearwater Chargers the squad beat in the Labor Day Puma Cup came ready for a rematch and scored its first goal in the game's opening minutes. The game remained 0-1 for nearly the entire match, thanks especially to solid play at goal by Jake. The Chargers were able to get to the ball in in the game's closing minute, resulting in the final score of 0-2. The Raiders regular season record now moves to 2-2. They head to Lakeland on Sunday for a rematch with the Lazers.

Plantation Thanksgiving Classic

Raiders Reach Semis

PLANTATION - The Holiday weekend ended with the U12 Raider Boys reaching the semi-finals in the annual Plantation Thanksgiving Classic. The first of four games - held Friday afternoon - was a dominating win over Team Boca. The 7-0 win included fantastic teamwork and goals from players including Anthony.

Saturday morning’s match against Strike Force proved again how good passing and control can win games. The 3-0 win was a solid effort from all the boys.

The final two games were both against the West Pines Black Squad - one of the state’s elite premier teams and the tournament’s eventual champion. The game Saturday, and the semi-final Sunday resulted in losses, but gave the West Pines team its toughest fight the entire weekend. Saturday’s two goals by the Raiders were the most scored in any game against West Pines. And the goals given up in those matches - 5 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday - were West Pines’ lowest offensive efforts for the weekend.

Hard-fought goal fired during game three, versus West End Black.

Solid defense, all weekend long.

Moving down the field.

Week Three Victory against Lakeland

Raiders 3, Lazers 2

Setting up the game-winning shot.

ST. PETERSBURG - The Raiders were victorious in their first-ever match facing the visiting Lakeland Soccer Club – Lazers. The Raiders were caught flat-footed in the first 70 seconds of the game and were scored upon. They were again scored on a counter attack down 0-2. finally in the last seconds of the first half the Raiders scored.

Being pumped up by Raiders Executive Director Tony Paris and Coach Elon, the Raiders mounted a second-half strategy. Creative play evened the game. 2—2. A well-spotted corner kick created a picture-perfect header as the other Raiders players executed the play to perfection. It truly was the play of the day !!! Raiders win 3-2. The team is 2-1 and heads to Plantation for the Thanksgiving weekend tournament.

Week Two - Battle at New Tampa

Comets 2, Raiders 0

NEW TAMPA – The U12 boys saw their record even at 1-1 after a 2-0 loss on Nov. 10 to the New Tampa Comets at New Tampa Community Park.

The Raiders carried the play for long stretches of the game against a traditionally difficult foe, but could not come up with a goal to pay off those efforts. New Tampa scored on a counterattack late in the first half for a 1-0 lead, then added a goal on a rebound from a corner kick late in the second for the final tally.

Up next, St. Pete plays its home opener of the Premier League season on Nov. 17, with a 10:30 a.m. contest against the Lakeland Lazers at Puryear Park.

Season Off To Great Start

Raiders 4, Falcons 1

OLDSMAR - The St. Pete Raiders got two goals each from Kai and Robbie to score a 4-1 road victory against the Oldsmar Falcons on Nov. 3 at Canal Park, in the season-opening U-12 soccer game for both teams.

A converted free kick in the final minute of the first half put Oldsmar ahead 1-0. But the Raiders responded to halftime personnel adjustments with four goals after the intermission.

Passing and execution picked up markedly, as evidenced by the game-tying and go-ahead goals just minutes apart early after the break. Defense remained solid throughout and the attack added tack-on goals for the final margin.

The Raiders were bolstered by the seamless return of Bradley to their defensive lineup, after a six-week absence from the preseason tournament schedule because of a broken arm.

St. Pete continues Premier Division play Nov. 10 against New Tampa at New Tampa Community Park.

2007 PRE-SEASON

A successful pre-season is done. The U12 Raiders Red Boys are making a strong entrance into the 2007-08 year.

Two tournaments. Two finals.

LABOR DAY PUMA CUP - U12 FINALIST

ST. PETE RAIDERS FALL CHALLENGE - U12 FINALIST

The new year builds on several strong years of teamwork and play.