By David Mann

Following a tied-up first half, the Cavaliers fought for two more goals in a grueling match with Broward College on Saturday afternoon.

It was hot. Tempers flared. Questionable officiating combined with these elements to make for a battle of a game where there were several cheap shots committed – even after plays were stopped – and a number of athletes-turned-actors taking dives all over the place. It was frustrating just to watch.

A Diego Ramos goal, assisted by Guilherme Frota, would be the only Cavalier goal of the half, which ended in a draw and set the stage for a frustrating second half of play.

Soon into the half Ramos found JoWayne Laidley, a freshman from Orlando, who muscled the ball into the back of the net. His first touch on the ball had sailed high, but he followed up and jumped into a leaping a goalkeeper and defender to win the challenge and push the ball past the goal line.

But Broward continued to fight, counter-attacking and forcing Darton goalkeeper Carlos Cantano, of Pompano Beach, Fla., to make a number of diving saves. The Tampa-based team also became “chippy”, as Head Darton Coach Bart Sasnett would put it, and seemed to find creative ways to irritate the Darton attack.

“They were a very physical team that stayed in the match the entire time and never gave up,” Sasnet said.

Finally, sophomore Javier Anor accepted a pass from Ramos and slid the ball neatly under a diving Broward goalkeeper to finish the game, 3-1.

The match was a part of Darton’s very difficult out-of-Region schedule, he said, which has also included top-ranked teams like San Jacinto College (Tex.) and Louisburg CC (NC).

The Cavaliers are 8-1 overall and 5-0 in Georgia College Athletics Association play. The team is ranked No. 2 in the National Junior College Athletics Association.