By Gary Curreri
Special Correspondent, Sun-Sentinel

For two years, Nicholas Pappacena dreamed of what it might be like to be a part of the celebration.



While Falcon Cove in Weston was winning back-to-back Broward County Middle School boys' soccer championships in 2006 and 2007, Pappacena was honing his skills for the opportunity to be a part of that success.



This season, the eighth-grade team member saw his dream come true as he helped lead the undefeated Falcons into the county finals once again.



Pappacena played a key role on the squad as he scored the clinching goal with three minutes remaining as Falcon Cove defeated Westglades Middle School, 2-0, on Dec. 17 at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.


The victory secured for the Falcons (12-0) their third consecutive championship and fifth in the past six seasons. It was also Falcon Cove's 19th consecutive victory dating back to last season.



"It was my first year on the team," said Pappacena, who scored 15 goals this season and was named Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of the postseason tournament. "I was surprised I got MVP. There was a little pressure to win the championship, but I didn't really expect to be MVP."



Seventh-grade player Bautista Pedezert put the Falcons ahead 1-0 with 23 minutes remaining in the second half as he scored on a bicycle kick from 25 yards out over the outstretched arms of Westglades goalkeeper Austin Ritter.


"I figured I had to go for it," said Pedezert, whose goal was his third of the season. "It is probably the best goal I have ever scored in my life. I just shot the ball and when I looked up, I saw it going in and then I celebrated with my team."



Pedezert, like the rest of his teammates, got caught up in all the emotion.



"This is amazing," he said. "With all of the training we did, we earned it. And it was good with all of the eighth graders we have for them to leave as winners."



Falcon Cove's 24-player roster included 15 eighth-graders.



With the clock ticking down, Eduardo Fernandez intercepted a goal kick and dribbled down the left flank before crossing it to Pappacena, who was standing unmarked inside the goal area. Pappacena settled the ball and scored from four yards out to clinch the victory.



"When I saw it go in the back of the net, I just started going crazy," Pappacena said.



Franz Cherry, who completed his second year coaching the Falcons, said he knew Westglades was a defensive-minded group after watching them play in an earlier game.



"I knew we would have to attack them more," Cherry said. "We started out slow, but we got it done. This team grew every week."



Falcon Cove has dominated boys' middle school soccer in Broward County for years.

The Falcons started their title run in 2003 with a championship over Sawgrass Springs and in subsequent years defeated Millennium, Forest Glen and Rickards before winning this season. The only title the school didn't lay claim to during that span was in 2005, when Lyons Creek defeated Nova for the crown.


Cherry praised the all-around seasonal performances of Rhys Williams, Juan Benedetty, Carlos Quintana, Sebastian Martinez and goalkeeper Joseph Ghitis. Pappacena and Garek Maingot also made an impression on Cherry and the team.

 "Nikki [Pappacena] really worked hard and improved his game," Cherry said.



Westglades Middle School coach Brent Maratta said he was pleased with the Wolves' heart and determination throughout its impressive 10-2 season. Westglades' only other loss came to Sawgrass Springs in the seventh round of penalty kicks in the third game of the season.


"I couldn't be more proud of the team," Maratta said. "The loss doesn't take anything away from what we did this year. Falcon Cove was by far the most organized team we faced this year. They were very skilled and moved the ball around very well."

 Maratta said Jason Fitzgerald, Austin Ritter and Mario DeSilva led his team this season.