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Newsome Edges Into Regional Semi

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A Tribune staff report

Published: January 25, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Newsome coach Kelly Townsend is adhering to the belief it's hard to beat a team three times in a season.

After collecting a 1-0 victory against River Ridge Thursday night in the Class 5A-Region 6 quarterfinals, Newsome will face Bloomingdale - the team that beat the Wolves twice this season - Tuesday.

"We're so close," Townsend said. "We're like within spitting distance of where both of our schools are located and it's such a rivalry that everything becomes so even when we play each other. Our kids know each other and it's such an emotional game because we're just so close."

Eleven minutes into the first half, Newsome (15-2) went ahead, 1-0, when Ashley Evers sent a cross from the right of the goal to Kellie Fowke. Fowke worked past the Royal Knights fallen keeper Brittany Hahn to score.

Emotions heightened in the final two minutes when River Ridge (17-2-2) apparently tied the game. Forward Mikaela Morolla scored off a free kick by Gina Perkins.

During that 30-second window, River Ridge had new life in the dwindling moments, but officials reversed the call, saying Morolla knocked a defender off the ball to get open.

River Ridge coach Skip Glover immediately protested the call to no avail, shouting: "I totally disagree with that call, 100 percent; 100 percent!"

"My girls fought hard, the best game they played all year," said Glover, visibly frustrated. "Newsome's a good team."

Eddie Daniels

Davison's Goal Sets Up 5A-8 Rematch

VALRICO - After being shut out for the entire first half, and nearly half of the second, Bloomingdale's Nancy Davison decided it was time to take a chance.

"I had a feeling the game would come down to long shot, so I decided we'd better go ahead and start trying," Davison said.

With 26 minutes left to go in regulation, Davison split through two Land O' Lake defenders to send a 20-foot scorcher into the left side of the net, breaking a scoreless tie between the two teams and sending the Bulls on their way to the 5A-Region 6 semifinal against rival Newsome on Tuesday.

The long-awaited goal came as a relief, according to Bloomingdale head coach Sue Peete, who believes her team wasn't playing up to their full capability until the score.

"I knew if we got that first goal, then we would start to relax," Peete said. "We were playing nervous up to that point, and Land O' Lakes kept the game close.

The calming effect of a one-goal lead grew even more tranquil when the Bulls' Jordan Johnson kicked a ball into a Gator defender who proceeded to knock in an own goal, giving the Bulls (12-1-2) some padding and a final score of 2-0.

The Bulls defense remained staunch throughout, allowing Land O' Lakes (12-10-2) only one shot the entire first half on a free kick and a total of five for the game.

Although the loss was disappointing for the Gators, coach Vicky King was proud of her team, and was impressed with how well they fought against such a formidable opponent.

"We've come a long way, and tonight was anybody's game," King said. "We don't give up, it's not our style.

When Bloomingdale faces off against Newsome, it will be rematch of last year's 5A-6 regional final match, which the Wolves won 1-0 on penalty kicks.

Jeffrey Jones

Salam's 2 Goals Send Palm Harbor Past Plant

PALM HARBOR - Forward Thara Salam two-goal night helped Palm Harbor University advance to the regional semifinals Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over Plant in the Class 5A-7 regional quarterfinals.

Salam's first goal came midway through the first half after she quickly reacted to a lose rebound in the goal box. PHU left wing Catherine Brinkman scored just before half on a well-struck right-footed volley that dipped just under the crossbar.

Salam's second goal, a perfectly placed header, soared past the out stretched arms of Plant goalie Lauryn Bodden.

"I told the team to put it all out on the field because we don't get a second chance in the post season", said Salam.

Plant forward Amanda Hendry's second half goal wasn't enough to spark a late rally.

Chris Daugherty

East Lake Too Much For Scrappy Terriers

TAMPA - With its third coach of the season on the sideline, less than a week after winning a district title, Hillsborough was drubbed 8-0 by visiting East Lake in a 5A-7 regional quarterfinal and yet, the Terriers weren't all down and out.

"After everything they've been through two coaches leaving and almost forfeiting the season, I'd say this is a success," said Dwight Wood, a Hillsborough assistant principal who had two stints as the Terriers soccer coach after the other coaches left. "The girls came together. Ultimately, I know they learned some life lessons from this and made the most of it."

Hillsborough ended its season 10-7-1, struggling to keep up with an athletic, poised and prepared team from East Lake, which has ended Hillsborough's season in the regionals each of the last three years.

Most of the damage was done by forward Alicia Nalley, who had four goals from relatively close range. Tessa MacGregor made it an early night in the 60th minute with another close-range shot into the back of the net.

"Our girls knew what we were up against," Wood said. "A lot of athleticism, which they showed."

East Lake (15-5) moves on to play in the regional semifinals Tuesday against Palm Harbor, a 3-1 regional quarterfinal winner over Plant.

"We got some good work in tonight," East Lake coach Raleigh Daves said. "I thought we could take advantage of our speed, and we did that."

As for Hillsborough, Wood said resumes for a new head coach are currently being reviewed.

"A lot of these girls are coming back next year and they deserve to have a coach in place," Wood said. "I'll help in any way I can to make sure they have a good coach for next season. It's a priority."

Scott Purks

Mitchell Cruises Into Semifinals

NEW PORT RICHEY - After needing a pair of dramatic 1-0 victories to finally claim a Class 6A-District 7 championship, the Mitchell girls' soccer team needed a breather.

It got just that in its regional quarterfinal match-up against visiting Sarasota Riverview.

Morgan Shellenberger, Arielle Anahory, Jessica Jagielski and Marisa Russo each scored during a torrid first half as the Mustangs grabbed a commanding 4-0 halftime lead en route to a convincing 5-1 victory Thursday.

The Mustangs will host Countryside in the regional semifinals Tuesday in a rematch of the 6A-7 district final.

"I thought we started out a little soft, but once you score that first goal the nervousness is gone and you play the game the way you want to," Mitchell coach Karl Kukec said.

The victory sends the Mustangs (20-3-2) into a home regional semifinal rematch on Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Countryside, a 3-0 winner over Sarasota. Mitchell defeated the Cougars for the district title.

Shellenberger, Mitchell's leading scorer, got the Mustangs on the board 18 minutes in, before Anahory doubled the lead two minutes later. Both goals came off assists from Shelby Wright, who finished with four for the match.

Then, with the score 3-0, Russo broke in alone off a long pass from Jagielski and ended any thoughts of a Riverview comeback by cleanly beating goalkeeper Christie Reuther.

Russo added her second goal with just less than 13 minutes remaining to cap the scoring for Mitchell before Paola Caicedo scored Riverview's only goal five minutes later.

Chris Errington

Countryside Sets Up District Rematch

SARASOTA - Dominant midfield play led visiting Countryside to a 3-0 victory over Sarasota Thursday night in the Class 6A-Region 6 girls soccer quarterfinals at Dr. Gene M. Pillot Field.

The Cougars, who consistently outhustled the Sailors and won a large majority of the match's 50-50 balls, scored two goals in a span of 90 seconds late in the first half and added another off a Tanya Bawkins penalty kick in the 71st minute. Chelsea Buck spearheaded a defense that limited Sarasota to one shot in the first half and Flagler College recruit Cristina Brabson recorded the shutout.

"Fortunately, lightning struck twice," Countryside head coach Rob Saltz said. "We have played well all season and had good possession, but it's been like pulling teeth to score goals. The girls came out and played hard."

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Warhawks Shut Out Manatee In 5A-8

SEMINOLE - Seminole's Warhawks kept their impressive season alive as they shut out visiting Manatee 6-0 in a 5A-8 regional quarterfinal.

The Warhawks (17-2-1) scored three first-half goals and added three more after the break to take the easy win. Freshman Sierra Lelii scored two times as did senior Taylor Mattox. Mattox also had two assists. Sophomore Megan Lawrence and junior Allison Maricone also scored for Seminole. As the second half began, Lelii drilled a shot from halfway across the field, putting Seminole safely ahead, 4-0.

The home team kept constant pressure on the Hurricanes, firing 19 shots at the Manatee net. Most of the game was played in Manatee's end of the field as Seminole's offense repeatedly scored or came close. The game's first score, a shot by Lawrence with an assist by Mattox, came with less than five minutes gone in the contest.

Seminole coach Steve Kuplicki emptied his bench midway through the second half with a comfortable 5-0 lead.

Seminole's goalkeeper, Casey Merson, who has only permitted five goals all season, again shut out an opponent.

The Warhawks will host Lakewood Ranch on Tuesday in the semifinals.

Mike Moore

Ranch Finds New Way To Beat Lakewood

LAKEWOOD RANCH - Anyone who thinks Lakewood Ranch girls soccer team is a one-person show is mistaken. Even though all-time leading scorer Lindsay Thompson failed to score, her teammates picked up the scoring with a 4-0 win over Lakewood in the Class 5A-Region 8 quarterfinal Thursday.

"Heck of a birthday present I just had," said Ranch coach Guy Virgilio, who was celebrated his 50th birthday.

Lakewood Ranch (18-2-1) will play at Seminole, a 6-0 winner over Manatee, Tuesday in the regional semifinals.

Thompson was still involved in the match as she contributed four assists. Freshman Sarah Miller was on the receiving end of two of Thompson's passes for goals, including the first and last goals. In the 16th minute, Thompson's pass found Miller 15 yards out and she did the rest with an angle shot into the lower left corner.

"I love it," said Miller about Thompson's passing. "It's amazing."

"Can't take anything away from Lindsay because she is definitely in play all the time," said Virgilio.

The Mustangs added another goal in the nick of time just before halftime. With 25 seconds left, Thompson's mis-hit went to Jordan Reda, who found the back of the net for a 2-0 cushion.

"I don't want to be the person that everyone depends on," said Thompson. "It makes me feel a lot more confident in my team, especially going into the next hopefully two games."

In the second half, Alyssa Sherman added a goal in the 47th minute on a left-footed shot into the lower left corner off a feed from Thompson. Miller closed out the scoring in the 65th minute on a pass from Thompson. Miller turned and ripped a left-footed shot past the keeper.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

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