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Terrapins Try To Keep Momentum

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By BILL WARD, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 13, 2008

TAMPA - Trailing 2-1 with less than 10 minutes to play in Friday's Class 2A regional final against host Bradenton St. Stephen's, the Tampa Prep boys soccer team was on the brink of elimination.

The Terrapins could hear the St. Stephen's fans singing "Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, hey, hey, goodbye." Some said they could feel the game slipping away.

"It wasn't looking good," said Tampa Prep senior midfielder Ryan Griffin. "I had a lot of chances - a lot of us did - but it felt like it just wasn't going to be our day."

That was when Tampa Prep senior defender Devin Dedrick tied the game with a spectacular goal, taking a pass into the box from Chad Linville and striking a volley to the far post under the crossbar. Dedrick's second goal of the season silenced the Falcons' fans.

"That was probably one of the greatest goals I've ever seen playing all these years," Griffin said. "It wasn't just how he hit the ball and where he put it, it was how clutch of a goal it was.

"That was like sinking a 90-foot putt for birdie on the 18th hole. It just fueled us."

Three minutes later, sophomore defender Travis Simmons vaulted the Terps back into the Class 2A state final four in Fort Lauderdale by heading in the winning goal off a perfect cross by sophomore Anthony Baumann.

The victory by Tampa Prep marked the fourth consecutive year it has knocked off the Falcons in the region final. To defend their state crown, the Terps (25-2-2) must win two more matches, starting with Thursday's semifinal at 2 p.m. against Maitland Orangewood Christian (22-4), a team the Terps beat 3-1 on Nov. 24.

To lift the state trophy, the Terps will need its stars - Baumann, Griffin, Alex Tuch and Wes Sever - to shine. But they also will need the supporting cast to contribute.

"At this stage of the playoffs, you need everyone to chip in something," said Terrapins coach Jose DaCosta, whose squad is seeking its third state title in four years. "It doesn't have to be goals or even assists. They just have to play their best soccer."

Dedrick and Simmons are aware of that. Both were starters on last year's championship team. In fact, it was Simmons who served the cross that former Tampa Prep star Zach Taylor headed in for the lone goal in the title game against Delray Beach American Heritage.

"Everyone on this team can score if they get the opportunity," Simmons said. "But everyone knows their role, too."

For Dedrick, this weekend's state tournament likely will mark the end of his soccer career. He is headed to the University of Tampa, but he does not plan to play in college. He would like to end it with a third state title, just like Tampa Prep's girls team did last week.

"I've loved and played soccer my whole life, and now I just want to do other things," Dedrick said. "It's been a good run, and it would be amazing to finish with three state titles."

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