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Gators' Tanner Feeling At Home

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By BART O'CONNELL, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 25, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - For his first three seasons at Land O' Lakes, Matt Tanner was the do-anything, play-anywhere answer to all of Coach Mark Pearson's questions.

He has been a sweeper, forward, and almost everything in between. Finally, for his senior year, Tanner is back at his natural position - midfielder - and it appears to be a perfect fit for the team.

The Gators entered this weekend's Puma Challenge Tournament with a 4-0 record, and when asked who is playing well for the Gators early on, there were many right answers, but the first one Pearson gave was Tanner.

Penciled in as the starting sweeper because of the football commitments of senior Alex Zimmerman, Tanner moved when junior John Gorman, originally a midfielder, offered to play the position. Pearson summoned his captains to a meeting after practice, where Tanner learned about his latest move.

In subsequent games, Tanner has made key contributions offensively - including a free kick goal against Pasco - and has essentially been the Gators' on-field leader.

"He's really the center, core of our midfield," Pearson said. "He organizes defensively in the back, and he helps create in the attack as well. He's got a great left foot for a free kick. As a senior, he's doing the job. He did it last year, and he's a four-year starter."

Tanner had become accustomed to all the moving around. During his sophomore year, he played four positions. But he admitted that moving back to the midfield was a welcome opportunity.

Nevertheless, he is more excited about this year's Gators team, which is loaded with club soccer talent. And despite some early injuries and the loss of key seniors from last year, the team is probably more experienced overall.

Land O' Lakes defeated River Ridge and Pasco this week, two teams that are expected to contend for the Sunshine Athletic Conference title and state playoff berths.

"It wasn't all on me. It was more on our team coming together and rallying around, getting goals from odd places," Tanner said of Land O' Lakes' start. "The work rate, I have to say it is a lot better than last year's team. We've had sophomores and juniors step up to play key roles. The way we're all coming together as a team is just incredible."

The Gators have yet to allow a goal despite all of the position changes. Gorman, whom Tanner said "wins almost every 50/50 ball," has fit in perfectly in front of goalkeeper Alex Spock, who also has been an early-season star.

"He's been a nice surprise," Pearson said of Gorman. "I didn't expect that at all."

While Pearson may have one of the more versatile teams he has fielded in years, at least for now, Tanner can rest easy. He's likely to stay where he belongs.

Correspondent Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@

pop.tampatrib.com.

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