The FC Premier Boys 2001 team won the Huntington Beach Sand Soccer tournament over the June 3 weekend.
The local team dominated from the start with impressive wins against HDYSL Rage 11-1, Valley United 8-2, and Hemet Juventus 8-0.
The final was a different story.
Leading scorer Nelson Cordova suffered an elbow to the eye that cut deeply into the brow and could not return to the match.
That happened early in the championship game and although they had a slight 3-1 lead at half time one could feel that the momentum had begun to shift. The second half began with a series of questionable calls that caused the score to be tied at 3-3. With only three seconds remaining a hand ball was called against the opposition and Tony Honorio had to take a shot from the center of the field. He sent a scorching shot that was saved by the goalie but the ball went slightly airborne. Andrew Salazar seized on the opportunity and came flying into the area to head the ball into the corner of the goal which gave them the 4-3 win.
It was a stunning finish and well deserved championship.
This article appeared in the June 14, 2017 print edition of the News Enterprise.