PowerBar 2014 Results

Twenty-four teams across the Southeast came together at the Dynamo Aquatic Center to compete in the 16th annual PowerBar Cup. The tournament featured 12 teams for both Masters and High School divisions. Saturday had teams battling it out in their groups for a spot in the playoffs. Though there were no surprises in Masters' group play, newcomer Raleigh broke seed to finish 2nd in their group for the HS division. This set up a "perfect" Sunday as the top seeds faced off against one another in a round of semi-finals filled with excitement. In the Masters' division, Riptides won over Jacksonville while Dynamo narrowly edged out YCF in a thrilling semi-final.   




Riptides Masters Team After Championship Game

In the High School division, the top two Georgia contenders in Norcross Blue Devils and St. Pius were not able to overcome their Florida competitors in Riptides and Orlando United, respectively.  The championship game had Riptides take on Orlando United.  An even match-up and familiar play styles proved to be a recipe for suspense.  The match was neck and neck much of the time but Riptides managed to pull ahead in the fourth quarter.  Orlando did not give up and continued to play hard but could only manage to come within one goal of the 2014 winners.  Final score:  11-10 Riptides

 

 

Riptides High School Team, After HS Championship Game

The championship game featured old rivals, Dynamo and Riptides, in a rematch of last year's semi-final.  Both teams came out strong but it was Riptides that lead by one at the end of the first quarter.  Dynamo responded well in the second as they scored 3 unanswered goals to make it 5-3 at halftime.  Two quick goals in the third by Dynamo swung the momentum heavily in their favor.  However, Riptides would not go down so easily and ended the quarter strong 3-2 in their favor.  With a two goal lead 8-6 at the start of the fourth, Dynamo tried desperately to close out the game.  However, Riptides played tough defense and shutdown Dynamo while scoring four unanswered goals.  It wasn't until late in the fourth with time dwindling that heroics from Kevin Hughes', former Dynamo youth star and now captain of the UGA men's water polo team, saved Dynamo from defeat in regulation.  Displaying both power and grace with both overhand and lob shots from the outside, Kevin tied the game at 10-10.  The match was to be settled in sudden death overtime.  Riptides won the sprint and called for a timeout.  With the offense setup perfectly, Dynamo would have to respond with flawless defense; however, the home team would give up an exclusion foul.  Riptides capitalized on the man-up situation to win the game 11-10 and become PowerBar Cup 2014 champions.

 

Here are the standings:

Masters
1. Riptides
2. Dynamo A
3. YCF
4. Jacksonville
5. Triangle
6. GT Alum
7. Tampa
8. Dynamo B
9 - 11 tie:  Charlotte, Orlando, Gainesville
12. Cleveland

HS
1. Riptides
2. Orlando United
3. St. Pius
4. Norcross A
5. Collins Hill
6. Raleigh
7. GAC
8. North Springs
9. Norcross B
10. Dalton
11. APS

12. Wildcats / APS