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Montelongo Sets County Record

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By BART O'CONNELL, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 21, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - After going the first 40 minutes of Wednesday night's game against Gulf without a goal, Pasco senior Jose "Joe" Montelongo appeared at least one more game from a seemingly inevitable achievement.

But as anyone who has been around the Pirates' program has learned in the last four years, Montelongo knows how to finish with style.

With his mother, father, aunt, brother and cousins watching, Montelongo became Pasco County's all-time leading goal scorer with three goals - all in the second half, leading the Pirates to a 4-1 win.

Now standing at 128 career goals, he eclipsed the mark of 127 set by former Gulf star Novica Maric in 2005.

"It's an honor," said Montelongo, who played against Maric when he was a freshman and scored his first career goal at Des Little Stadium, the site of Wednesday's achievement. "It's a good record, but I feel the same."

The record-breaking goal came in injury time, as Montelongo re-directed a pass from Cody Sumner to the open right side of the net. He received a few congratulations on the field from teammates, and the ball was taken out of play. Pasco coach Barry Grayling gave Gulf coach Grant Wortz two new balls to trade for the record-setter.

With 35:54 remaining, Montelongo scored the first, beating Buccaneers goalkeeper Joe Kanaan with a shot through the legs. The next came with two minutes left, a header off a pass from Roman Farias.

Though all of Montelongo's goals on Wednesday were from close range, he established himself in a manner far different from that of Maric, a small, quick attacker known for his wizardry with the ball. By contrast, Montelongo's power and ability to surprise a defense with shots from long range has made him a prolific scorer.

When asked if one goal stands out in his career, Montelongo flashed back to two weeks ago, when he scored from about 40 yards away in a mercy-rule win against Hernando.

"I just looked up and took the shot, put it in the upper corner," he said. "It was the best goal I've scored this year."

After Wednesday's game, Montelongo had 33 goals this season, not counting Thursday night's game against Springstead, which was not complete by press time. He's now focused on surpassing his school record of 44 goals, set as a sophomore.

Since he is averaging 2.2 goals per game this year, it seems likely that it's just another record destined to be obliterated. The final number, both for this year and his career, could stand as the record for years to come.

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