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Young Gators Back In Familiar Position

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By EDDIE DANIELS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - The start the Land O' Lakes girls soccer team endured this season was a definite test of Coach Vicky King's mettle.

The youthful squad opened the season 3-7-2. And if you know anything about Land O' Lakes, to say the least, that's rather odd.

The Gators (12-8-2) ended the regular season winning eight of their last nine, boasting a 6-1-1 road record. They are in a familiar position tonight - the Class 5A-District 7 championship game against River Ridge.

"I always felt that we could do something. It just took time to come together, I think, and just knowing how to play," King said following Land O' Lakes' 2-0 victory against Central in the district semifinal. "I think a lot of the young kids are playing very, very well combined with some of the other kids. We had a few injuries early. Kaitlyn Hodgins was out for about the first five weeks of the season, one of the freshmen was out, but they've started to gel and come together."

That gelling is right on time.

River Ridge, a 4-0 winner against Ridgewood in the district semifinal and the district's top seed, swept the regular-season series against second-seeded Land O' Lakes. The Royal Knights won the first meeting 2-0, dropping Land O' Lakes to 2-4-1 in November. The following month, River Ridge won 5-0.

In those two games, River Ridge's career goals leader, Deana Rossi (112), scored three times. Corinna Dyl, Brittany Mascia, Mikaela Morolla and Kaleigh Patri also added goals in the series.

Pressure Off Mitchell Entering District Final

TRINITY - All season, Mitchell girls soccer coach Karl Kukec has relied on Morgan Shellenberger, Marisa Russo and Shelby Wright to lead the way. On Wednesday night, one of them took it upon herself to lead the Mustangs back to the regional playoffs.

Shellenberger, Mitchell's leading scorer, netted her 24th goal of the season with 6:54 remaining as the Mustangs survived both the elements and a gritty Alonso team to win their Class 6A-District 7 semifinal, 1-0. The victory sends them into today's 8 p.m. district final against Countryside.

"This is the first time we know the pressure of, 'Win or your out,' is off us," Kukec said. "Now we can go out knowing we've qualified for the regions and play our game instead of worrying about winning or going home."

As little as three seasons ago, Mitchell (16-3-2) was an annual participant in the regional playoffs. But, with a small step up in class designation came a monumental jump in opposition quality. The result has been a two-season hiatus from regions.

It's a fact not lost on Kukec.

"It's a district of death," Kukec said. "Anyone who comes out of the district tournament goes to the regional finals, because there's so much talent here. That's why this game was so important and that's why having players that can win big games for you is so important."

Mitchell dominated much of Wednesday's second semifinal, holding a 13-1 shots advantage and earning many more scoring opportunities. Still, with a steady rain and gusting winds hampering the trio's offensive production, the game remained scoreless far longer than Kukec expected.

Finally, Shellenberger took control.

A Russo pass into the box found Mustangs sophomore Jessica Jagielski, but when she collided with an Alonso defender the ball caromed to an open Shellenberger, and the senior midfielder scored.

Now, even with a coveted regional berth secured, Kukec said he doesn't expect his team to relax. A district title tonight on its home field is now top priority - as is a shot at redemption.

Countryside won at Mitchell 1-0 on Nov. 27 in the teams' only other meeting this season.

Chris Errington

To view a photo gallery from Wednesday's Mitchell-Alonso game by Tribune photographer Fred Bellet, go to http://snap.tbo.com/pages/gallery.php?gallery=

322243.

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