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Mitchell Looking To Jell

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By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

Published: January 20, 2008

TRINITY - Oscar Ubillus has one New Year's resolution for the Mitchell boys soccer team - play with more consistency.

So far, the Mustangs (13-7-2) have not delivered, going 2-2. Both losses came in the Hurricane Watch Tournament - 3-0 to Palm Harbor University and 5-0 to East Lake.

The victories - 2-1 against Lakewood and 4-1 against Hudson - have shown Mitchell still can be dangerous entering the always difficult Class 6A-District 7 tournament next week. But it's hard to make the state playoffs when you can't string together victories.

"Offensively, we've had guys that can score, but we're still searching for consistency all around," Ubillus said. "We've made a couple of changes, but nothing drastic. I'm hoping the win over Hudson gives our guys a boost."

Mitchell got one of the better draws as a fifth seed in the 6A-7 tournament. It opens on Tuesday with fourth-seeded Countryside, the only district team the Mustangs beat this season (1-0). If they beat the Cougars, top-seeded Alonso waits in the semifinal, but Mitchell held its own in the regular-season meeting, a 1-0 loss.

Ubillus isn't thrilled with the draw, however, because he believes all the teams are equally tough and most of the games (with the exception of a 5-0 loss to No. 2 seed Gaither) "were pretty close."

CHINKS IN KNIGHTS' ARMOR: Like many teams this time of year, River Ridge has battled injuries in the weeks leading up to its Class 4A-District 8 tournament semifinal against Brooksville Central. But the Royal Knights' setbacks seem worst than most.

In addition to MF/GK Eric Karcinski's concussion, which could cause him to miss one or more tournament games, D Joey Balsamo (virus), F/MF John Thompson (ankle) and MF Jack Paris (hamstring) have missed games because of injury and it's unclear if they'll be available next week.

Against Hudson on Wednesday, the Knights had to patch together a defense loaded with JV call-ups and other guys moving around.

"It was almost like gym class," Coach Mike McHugh said.

River Ridge did get Taylor Watson and Seth Wade back from red-card suspensions this week, and tied Pasco 1-1 on Thursday. McHugh believes the team has gotten closer because of the setbacks.

RECRUITING CENTRAL: Land O' Lakes has several players mulling opportunities to play in college, and some - like MF Dominic Cutrofello and D Frank Villar - aren't seniors.

Cutrofello, a junior, is being courted by "about a dozen schools," including Big East rivals Rutgers and Louisville, Gators coach Mark Pearson said. UCLA has sent information to Villar through his club team, trying to gauge the sophomore's interest.

Pearson added that senior Matt Tanner is being recruited by the University of Tampa, Stetson, Florida Gulf Coast and Thomas University (Ga.), while Elliot Leniton has been looked at by Thomas, Darton College and other small schools. Both are keeping their options open.

As for Pasco F Joe Montelongo, the county's leading scorer at 41 goals, Saint Leo has shown interest, but no offers can be made until Feb. 1, according to NCAA rules.

ON THE ROAD: Bishop McLaughlin coach John Mayer is in Baltimore this weekend for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention. Mayer is an Associate Awards Chair for the group.

Bart O'Connell can be reached at boconnell@pop.tampatrib.com.

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