Krizanovic Leads Jacksonville to the NPSL Championship
Krizanovic Leads Jacksonville to the NPSL Championship
Header in the 87th minute seals the 3-2 win
Madison, Alabama (July 30, 2011)- Jacksonville United, who started the season with four straight losses, is the 2011 National Premier Soccer League Champion. Eight straight wins, including knocking off the top two seeds at the National Championships, put the trophy into the hands of the first year club. Hollywood United put up a valiant effort in the Final, coming from behind twice, only to fall 3-2.
Tommy Krizanovic, named the National Championships' MVP, scored three goals in the final. The winner came in the 87th minute on a header from a beautiful cross by Rafak Safi, who assisted on all three of Krizanovic's goals in the Final. Arturo Albarran's two goals for Hollywood United were not enough to deny the first year Florida club.
Jacksonville opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Krizanovic slotted home to the far post on a nice feed from Safi. After Albarran missed a penalty kick, he answered in the 28th minute with an unstoppable twenty yard blast. Krizanovic was picked out by Safi again in the 37th minute to beat goalkeeper Raul Calderon.
A second penalty kick was awarded to Hollywood United in the 77th minute when Brent Whitfield was taken down in the box on a breakaway. Albarran converted on his second attempt of the night to level the score.
Just when everyone was preparing for extra time, Safi broke free on the left side and sent in a perfect cross to Krizanovic who had found space at the top of the six yard box. His header was low and out of the reach of a diving Calderon. Hollywood threw everyone forward on a couple of late corner kicks, but Jacksonville held on for the victory and the championship.
Tommy Krizanovic, named the National Championships' MVP, scored three goals in the final. The winner came in the 87th minute on a header from a beautiful cross by Rafak Safi, who assisted on all three of Krizanovic's goals in the Final. Arturo Albarran's two goals for Hollywood United were not enough to deny the first year Florida club.
Jacksonville opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Krizanovic slotted home to the far post on a nice feed from Safi. After Albarran missed a penalty kick, he answered in the 28th minute with an unstoppable twenty yard blast. Krizanovic was picked out by Safi again in the 37th minute to beat goalkeeper Raul Calderon.
A second penalty kick was awarded to Hollywood United in the 77th minute when Brent Whitfield was taken down in the box on a breakaway. Albarran converted on his second attempt of the night to level the score.
Just when everyone was preparing for extra time, Safi broke free on the left side and sent in a perfect cross to Krizanovic who had found space at the top of the six yard box. His header was low and out of the reach of a diving Calderon. Hollywood threw everyone forward on a couple of late corner kicks, but Jacksonville held on for the victory and the championship.
