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Klotz Scores 4 As Tampa Prep Advances To State

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By JARRETT GUTHRIE Tribune correspondent

Published: February 2, 2008

TAMPA - Chelsea Klotz said she stripped off her red soccer boots midway through Tampa Prep's regional semifinal 6-1 win Tuesday against Shorecrest Prep because of blisters. However, during the Terrapins' regional final match against Bradenton St. Stephen's Episcopal, the senior striker looked unfazed by the blisters and unstoppable on the field.
Klotz struck Tampa Prep's first goal in the third minute and added three more goals in the match, bringing her total on the season to 60 and helping the Terrapins to an 8-0 win in the Class 2A-Region 3 final.

"She is unbelievable, she's amazing, she is a machine," gushed Tampa Prep coach Pam Smith after the match about Klotz. "I really don't think she can be stopped."

After Klotz's first goal, the Terrapins were unable to finish on shots for the bulk of the first half until the Falcons started to get worn down and Tampa Prep sharpened its game. In the 31st minute, Klotz drilled Tampa Prep's second goal into the net after a pass from Amber Miller. Klotz picked up the assist on the next goal - a clear shot by junior striker Paige Goodwin. Taylor Richardson scored the Terrapins' first goal of the second half before Klotz added two more. The final two goals came from junior Megan Wall, with her second goal ending the game in the 75th minute.

"We started slow like usual," Wall said. "But we knew we'd get there."

The ball Wall drilled in to end the game was presented to Smith, who took a moment to stare at it in her hands. But only for a moment, as Smith was chased across the pitch by her team, who carried a Gatorade cooler. Smith attempted to outrun her team, stripping off two sweatshirts before four players held her still and the sixth-year coach was showered.

"It's OK," Smith said, recovering the ball lost in her escape attempt. "I brought a spare change of dry clothes."

The win earns Tampa Prep a spot in the state final four, where it will face Maitland Orangewood Christian on Thursday in Fort Lauderdale.

"This season has been amazing," Klotz said. "I came in to this team not knowing what to expect, and this group of girls has been great.

"This is what we wanted. On the first day of practice the coaches asked us what we wanted and we said we wanted to go to state; now here we are."

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