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Bishop McLaughlin Coach Thrilled With Season

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By JARRETT GUTHRIE, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 17, 2008

TAMPA - Bishop McLaughlin's girls soccer team fell 3-2 to Cambridge in the district semifinals to end its season. But the season was not without its high points for the Hurricanes (10-3-1), as the team set a school record as the first girls team to reach double-digit victories.

After Tuesday evening's loss, Hurricanes coach Mike Zelenka stood at the end of two lines of his players on Tampa Prep's field, waited for and then hugged his two seniors, Shaila Tamayo and Jenna Palamaro.

"It's been a great season," Zelenka said. "We set a school record with double-digit wins - I'm very proud."

In the match, Cambridge eighth-grader Rachel Stephenson made a big save on a ball heading out of bounds across the back line and drilled a crisp pass to a waiting Lara Theodore, who scored to give Cambridge a 2-0 halftime advantage.

In the second half, Bishop McLaughlin looked focused and prepared. The Hurricanes evened the score with a 35-yard strike from Erica Houseman and a shot from Taylor Maramara over the keeper's outstretched hands. Both shots were timed right, taking advantage of the Cambridge goalie's range with aired shots.

"We were more aggressive in the second half," Zelenka said.

"We went after free balls, controlled the ball and played with a lot more patience and a lot more confidence then we did in the first half."

But it was Stephenson who would break the stalemate with a goal in the 66th minute after a great cross from senior midfielder Malissa Gallogly.

"Credit Cambridge, they fought back," Zelenka said. "I wouldn't say we dropped off as much as they picked it back up."
Gallogly scored Cambridge's first goal in the 12th minute after a short flick on a free kick from Kristen Brooks, who tipped the hands of the defensive wall and gave Gallogly a good look at the goal.

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