Rowdies Take Strikers And Coastal Cup

    The defending NASL champion Tampa Bay Rowdies beat the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2-1 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Pertersburg on Saturday night. They captured the Coastal Cup for the fourth consecutive year and won the annual Florida Derby between both clubs.
    Tampa Bay got the early lead in the 14th minute as forward Lucky Mksoana made a run down the side beyond the Strikers defense and dribbled around Strikers goalkeeper Richard Sanchez. Forward Eitenne Barbara made the lead pass to him.
    Fort Lauderdale tied the game at 1-1 during the 38th minute as forward Martin Nunez scored the equalizer by Rowdies goalkeeper Diego Restrepo with an assist by forward Yaikel Perez.  
    In the 75th minute, the Rowdies got the game-winning goal on a penalty kick by midfielder Luke Mulholland as he placed the shot into the low left corner of the net. Midfielder Keith Savage was tripped up in the penalty area to set up the play.