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Shellenberger, Mitchell Earn Tie With Tampa Prep

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By JARRETT GUTHRIE, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 5, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Tampa Prep's girls soccer team looked sluggish after two weeks off practice, and it resulted in the Terrapins' record getting its first blemish at Mitchell as a 67th-minute goal from Morgan Shellenberger earned the Mustangs a 1-1 tie on Friday.

While able to control possession, the Terrapins attack, which had scored 83 goals in the first 17 games, was stifled by Mitchell's defense.

"Two weeks off," Coach Pam Smith said after the match. "That's why we set this game up two weeks ago, for the competition of it."

The Terrapins (17-0-1) controlled the ball for most of the first half but couldn't turn it into shots on target.

That changed in the 41st minute, when senior striker Chelsea Klotz won a battle for the ball in front of the Mustangs goal and opened the scoring with her right foot.

Klotz was hampered by an ankle injury and had to spend time at the end of the first half on the bench. Smith said she suffered the injury during a club tournament in Miami last week, and it seemed to slow the team's leading scorer down throughout the match.

"Obviously we can play, and obviously there is an ability to play," Smith said. "But at the same time it has to be as a team, not with one person here and one person there."

Mitchell (13-3-2) was stronger in the second half, and its build-up of possession led to more chances. The Mustangs tied the game in the 67th minute on a goal created by Marisa Russo's flick to Shellenberger, who shot low into the left corner.

Both teams saw late chances fizzle. Mitchell had a few chances in the penalty area, only to be denied by goalkeeper Courtney Zwetsch, who smothered the opportunities.

The Terrapins' late chance came inside the final two minutes on a free kick by Carrie Field to Paige Goodwin, but Mustangs keeper Laura Seletos made the stop despite losing her footing.

Correspondent Jarrett Guthrie can be reached at

jguthrie@pop.tampatrib.com.

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