Boys Soccer: Tampa Catholic’s withdrawl allows Berkeley into Classic field

Posted Dec 11, 2009 by Nick Murray

Updated Dec 11, 2009 at 03:59 AM

Berkeley Prep will play in this season’s High School Soccer Classic next weekend after Tampa Catholic withdrew from the 24-team field, Jesuit coach Bob Bauman confirmed on Thursday night.

Calls to Berkeley coach Tim Cooper and Tampa Catholic coach Kevin McCarron were not returned on Thursday night.

Berkeley had initially been excluded from the field due to a miscommunication between Bauman and Cooper, but the Buccaneers will now take the place of the Crusaders in Pool 4, facing Seminole and ESPN Rise No.9 Melbourne in the opening round of pool play. Bauman said he was glad the Buccaneers would get the opportunity to compete in the event.

“I would have felt awful if they hadn’t been able to come into the tournament,” Bauman said. “(Berkeley has) got a very good squad this year, so to not have them in it, to me, it wouldn’t have hurt the tournament, there are a lot of quality teams in it, but I would have just hated to see those kids miss out on that opportunity.”

The Classic begins on Dec. 19 at the Ed Radice Sports Complex.