FORT WALTON BEACH -- Sans Derek Castelin, who entered the postseason questionable after a December back injury, Choctaw was considered a state contender.
With the senior healthy and manning the midfield, however, the Indians now look like the team to beat.
That was certainly the case in Saturday night's Region 1-3A semifinal, when Castelin scored two first-half goals to lead the Indians to a 2-1 victory over Gulf Breeze at Joe Etheredge Stadium.
View a photo gallery from the game >>
"That's a senior and we only have four of them out there," Choctaw coach Chris McDaniel said. "He's one of the best speeds we have and he just doesn't get rattled at all."
Castelin first struck in the 10th minute, just moments after a diving header of his was narrowly blocked by Gulf Breeze keeper Kyle Overlade. Given room outside the 18-yard box to the left side, the senior blasted a right-footer inside the far, right post to put the Indians on the scoreboard.
Just 13 minutes later, his right leg would deliver again.
This time it came on a penalty kick, which came about after Overlade ran into a streaking Sean Hoffstatter at the top of the box. Hoffstatter remained hunched over on the field for several minutes before being taken out of the game, but his pain was eased a bit by Castelin's goal that glanced off the crossbar in the top-left corner before finding the back of the net. Hoffstatter would prove to be fine, entering the game minutes later.
"Derek scored two goals and they held up," said McDaniel, whose team will travel to Ponte Vedra for the Region 1-3A finals Tuesday night at 7.
But just barely.
Holden Claudio scored early in the second half to cut the deficit in half and end the Indians' bid for a 20th shutout in just 25 tries on the season, but defenders Trapper Chechak, Brandon Castelin and Shane Nicholson and keeper Adam Cahill clamped down to preserve the win.
"We kind of played more defensively than we wanted to after getting the lead," McDaniel said. "But we held on."
Castelin's 2 goals lead Choctaw into region finals (GALLERY)
Choctawhatchee goal keeper Adam Cahill makes a save on Saturday against Gulf Breeze.
NICK TOMECEK / Daily NewsPublished: Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 22:29 PM.
FORT WALTON BEACH -- Sans Derek Castelin, who entered the postseason questionable after a December back injury, Choctaw was considered a state contender.
With the senior healthy and manning the midfield, however, the Indians now look like the team to beat.
That was certainly the case in Saturday night's Region 1-3A semifinal, when Castelin scored two first-half goals to lead the Indians to a 2-1 victory over Gulf Breeze at Joe Etheredge Stadium.
View a photo gallery from the game >>
"That's a senior and we only have four of them out there," Choctaw coach Chris McDaniel said. "He's one of the best speeds we have and he just doesn't get rattled at all."
Castelin first struck in the 10th minute, just moments after a diving header of his was narrowly blocked by Gulf Breeze keeper Kyle Overlade. Given room outside the 18-yard box to the left side, the senior blasted a right-footer inside the far, right post to put the Indians on the scoreboard.
Just 13 minutes later, his right leg would deliver again.
This time it came on a penalty kick, which came about after Overlade ran into a streaking Sean Hoffstatter at the top of the box. Hoffstatter remained hunched over on the field for several minutes before being taken out of the game, but his pain was eased a bit by Castelin's goal that glanced off the crossbar in the top-left corner before finding the back of the net. Hoffstatter would prove to be fine, entering the game minutes later.
"Derek scored two goals and they held up," said McDaniel, whose team will travel to Ponte Vedra for the Region 1-3A finals Tuesday night at 7.
But just barely.
Holden Claudio scored early in the second half to cut the deficit in half and end the Indians' bid for a 20th shutout in just 25 tries on the season, but defenders Trapper Chechak, Brandon Castelin and Shane Nicholson and keeper Adam Cahill clamped down to preserve the win.
"We kind of played more defensively than we wanted to after getting the lead," McDaniel said. "But we held on."
All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.
