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'This Group Of Girls Is Amazing'

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By JARRETT GUTHRIE, Tribune correspondent

Published: February 7, 2008

TAMPA - Tampa Prep has been on a tear all season and no more so than in the playoffs, where the Terrapins (24-1-1) have won five matches, outscoring opponents 36-2. During this period, Tampa Prep's leading scorer, striker Chelsea Klotz, has been unstoppable, scoring 14 postseason goals.
Klotz prepared for the state final four beginning today in Fort Lauderdale by notching four goals in the region final against St. Stephen's. Her play in the Terrapins' 8-0 win against the Falcons sends her into today's match against Maitland Orangewood Christian (13-8-1) with a state-leading (according to maxpreps.com) 60 goals.

Although Klotz's addition to the team after transferring from Lake Brantley for her senior season has been pivotal in the success of the Terrapins, she is quick to point out it is the team's chemistry, led by the core that was already in place, that made this team.

"I came into this season not knowing anything about the team at all," Klotz said after Tampa Prep's region-final win. "This group of girls is amazing and I knew right away when I got here this is what they wanted."

Among the keys to success for the Terrapins are a group of four juniors: Paige Goodwin, Taylor Richardson, Megan Wall and Courtney Kelly. The quartet has spent three years with the team, adding to its leadership and success.

"As this season progressed, a lot of the members of this team realized that this really matters to them and they wanted to advance," Richardson said. "Certain individuals have stepped up and sparked the fire, so now each game we come out and play for each other."

As far as the group of juniors who have been with the team for three seasons, Klotz's partner up top on the pitch is Goodwin. A striker, Goodwin is tied for seventh place in the state with 29 goals on the season, according to maxpreps.com. Goodwin also has 18 assists on the season, ranking her second on the team.

Richardson is a key threat and leads the Terrapins with 29 assists this season, while scoring seven goals. Last season, Richardson led the Terrapins in goals with 24 as a forward but has settled in the midfield and been just as much a weapon there this season.

Midfielder Wall has come up huge in the postseason, racking up four goals and three assists, including two goals (with the match-ender) against St. Stephen's in the region final.

Kelly adds to a very young Terrapin defense that has contributed to 18 shutouts this season.

The juniors have provided added depth and numbers to the scoreboard throughout the playoffs with 14 goals and 15 assists in the five matches.

"The chemistry makes this team work," Kelly said. "The history this team has with the juniors and seniors who have been together so long as well as the fresh faces bring so much to this team.

"We learn something new from each other every day."

For the state final four, the Terrapins will face Orangewood Christian today at 2 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale at Lockhart Stadium. The Rams enter the match after defeating Vero Beach St. Edwards 4-0.

The other state semifinal match will have last year's state champion, Orange Park St. John's Country Day School (22-1-1), taking on undefeated Delray Beach American Heritage (30-0). That match will be at noon today.

Jarrett Guthrie can be reached at jguthrie@pop.tampatrib.com.

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