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Tampa Prep Brings Home Class 2A Crown

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By CRISTINA LEDRA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 10, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE - It was borderline surreal for the Tampa Prep girls soccer team as it watched the previously infallible Delray Beach American Heritage squad become beatable.

Regulation and two overtimes couldn't decide a winner of Saturday's Class 2A state championship at Lockhart Stadium, so it came down to the best-of-five penalty kicks.

Tampa Prep's Taylor Richardson kicked to the right. Goal.

American Heritage's Stacey Payne looked for the equalizer. Diving save by Jordan Hatton.

Tampa Prep's Caroline Cheek shot to the left. Goal.

American Heritage's Madison Wagener shot to the left. Hit the post.

Tampa Prep's Paige Goodwin kicked to the right. Goal.

American Heritage's Mandy Freeman shot high. Over the net.

And just like that, Tampa Prep was the Class 2A state champion, winning 2-1 and handing American Heritage its first loss of the season to earn the first girls soccer state title in school history.

"We had been practicing for about two months on PK's and I guess that work paid off," Goodwin said. "I knew if we just kept getting them in we'd have it in the bag. We had to shoot for our corners like we practiced and hopefully get them in."

For scoring four goals in two games in the state tournament, Tampa Prep senior Chelsea Klotz was named the Class 2A tournament MVP.

She had the only regulation goal for the Terrapins, putting in her own rebound in the 13th minute, assisted by Megan Wall.

"I haven't stopped crying since the final ball went in," Klotz said. "This is what the whole team has wanted the whole season, and we finally got it and this has been a great senior year."

Letting their emotions spill out was an understandable reaction after a draining game that started out well for Tampa Prep, then turned in American Heritage's favor before turning back to Tampa Prep.

The Terrapins were able to keep the ball in the Stallions' end for much of the first half, then American Heritage stormed back in the second half.

Each team had one goal through regulation and overtime, despite many chances that sailed wide, high or into the goalkeepers, Hatton and American Heritage's Samantha Perretty, who both turned in superb performances.

Hatton made 11 saves and Perretty had 13. Tampa Prep had 23 shots to American Heritage's 21.

The Terrapins had three shots that were off Peretty's hands, including one late in the second overtime by Klotz.

"Second half we kind of stepped down a little bit because we got tired," Tampa Prep coach Pam Smith said. "But I think when it came to the end of the game and the overtime, we stepped it up and we had it more consistent than they did, and I think we had the motivation play-wise going into the PK's."

Reporter Cristina Ledra can be reached at (813) 948-4203 or cledra@tampatrib.com.

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