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Pitcarin Brothers Team Up In AATL's Victory

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By BART O'CONNELL, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 24, 2008

SHADY HILLS - In the most crucial moments of a soccer match, it's always wise to let those you trust handle the ball. And Academy at the Lakes defender Daniel Pitcarin trusts one teammate more than any other.

Down 1-0 two minutes into the second half of Tuesday's Class 2A-District 9 semifinal against Hernando Christian, the junior lined up for a free kick in HCA territory, and he knew one player would know just how to break on the ball.

He glanced over to his brother, freshman Jason Pitcarin, and fired a high shot into the 18-yard box. Jason ran underneath it with ease, re-directing the header past the goalkeeper to tie the score.

The perfectly-timed play, coupled with the Wildcats' stingy defense and 6-for-7 effort on penalty kicks, gave AATL (4-13-1) its first FHSAA region quarterfinal berth in boys soccer. The Wildcats also get a chance to win the district Friday against host and top seed Bishop McLaughlin.

"I think maybe I had an extra eye out for him because I'm so used to kicking the ball around with him," Daniel Pitcarin said. "It definitely helps, because I think he thinks a lot more like I do than anybody else on the team."

"I knew we had to get a goal, so we had to be extra aggressive," Jason Pitcarin said. "I wanted to get in there and make sure we were in the right position to get the goal."

The Pitcarin brothers have quickly become two of Academy's best players, but because of their two-year age difference, they have not played on the same school or club team until this season.

Daniel was projected to be a top player in the preseason by Coach Don Bellefeuille, and he hasn't disappointed with his solid defense and leadership.

"He's the backbone of our team. He's everything," Bellefeuille said. I can't say enough about the guy, and it would be a shame if he was overlooked for some recognition because of our record. He is everything that people want in a player."

The expectations for Jason were noticeably different. A goalkeeper with his New Tampa Comets club team, he was expected to play that position for the Wildcats. But because Bellefeuille thought he had a solid backup in Jesse Alpert-Stern and wanted more offense in the field, he moved Jason to forward, a decision that has lifted AATL to the playoffs.

"He's what turned our season around the last few games," Bellefeuille said. "The brothers are great, and I've got them another year."

Now the Wildcats' attention will turn to Bishop McLaughlin (6-6-6), a 7-0 winner against Carrollwood Day School in Tuesday's nightcap. Both squads want to avoid defending state champion Tampa Prep in next week's region quarterfinal.

Though it's possible Tampa Prep could lose a game in its district tournament, Hurricanes coach John Mayer is assuming it won't, and he knows how important Friday's match will be. The loser will have to face the 2A-10 winner next week.

"You don't want to mess up," Mayer said. "We know what AATL's got, and they know what we've got. We feel like we're playing our best soccer right now, even though our record might now show it."

Certainly, AATL is playing its best soccer now as well.

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

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