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East Lake Reaches Final Four

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By ERIC HORCHY, The Suncoast News

Published: February 2, 2008

SEMINOLE - The East Lake Eagles can begin packing their bags and preparing a trip to Fort Lauderdale after their 3-0 Friday night victory against Seminole sent the program to its first state final four appearance.

Enduring nearly 20 straight minutes of Seminole on the attack to start the game, East Lake's sturdy defense and stellar goalkeeping from senior Ali Burnham bent, but refused to break.

The Eagles (17-5-0) have shut out all three of their Class 5A-Region 3 opponents by a combined score of 14-0.

"I'll be honest, we were a little put off with the intensity and everything else, and I don't think we were ready to play," East Lake coach Raleigh Daves said of his girls' slow start. "But we finally settled down, and once we did, we were fine."

Momentum began to swing in the Eagles' favor after the first half water break, and they promptly posted their first score of the night in the 22nd minute.

Eagles forward Tessa MacGregor nearly collided with Seminole goalkeeper Casey Merson and failed to knock home a header, but speedy teammate Leah Fisher was in great position for the rebound to shoot into an open net.

"I looked at first and thought MacGregor was going to get hurt, but the ball popped out and she was still up," an elated Fisher said of the play. "I was like, 'Oh! There it is!' and I was just able to put it in."

Little more than five minutes later, junior Alicia Nalley drove in East Lake's second goal from 20 yards out.
Burnham was called into action before the first half's end, making back-to-back saves on a Warhawks free kick and a close-range rebound attempt.

East Lake continued to repel Seminole (18-3-1) in the second half, and senior Danielle Ciglar capped the scoring with nine minutes remaining.

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