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Sienkiewicz Takes TurnIn Spotlight

By MATTHEW POSTINS

Tribune correspondent

Published: May 20, 2008

TAMPA - Brad Sienkiewicz watched his friend, Ryan Griffin, receive all the accolades during Tampa Prep's state championship run in 2007. Those accolades included The Tampa Tribune's Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year award.
Sienkiewicz saw his friend receive the award and read all the stories written about Griffin.

He finds it a bit hard to believe that it's his turn in 2008.

"I can't believe it's happening to me now," Sienkiewicz said. "I'm really honored to be selected."

For serving as the backstop - and backbone - of Tampa Prep's run to a second straight Class 2A state title, the senior goalkeeper is the Tribune's Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

Tampa Prep (27-2-2) went through a grueling regular season and postseason with a target on its back after claiming the title in 2007. But the Terrapins were back in the state final four and claimed the title after defeating Jacksonville Providence 3-0.

Afterward, Sienkiewicz said he thought about what the seniors said after winning the 2007 crown.

"The seniors last year told us, 'There's no better way to go out than with a state title,'" Sienkiewicz said. "They were right."

The goalkeeper, in his third full year as a starter, had another fine campaign. He finished the season with a 0.64 goals-against average, 17 goals allowed, 97 saves and 18 shutouts. Sienkiewicz finished his career with 64 career shutouts, according to Jose DaCosta, who resigned as Terrapins coach after 14 years.

"When he got here, he was pretty shy, but by the beginning of his senior year he was a strong leader," DaCosta said. "You never worried about him. He always did what was asked of him."
Sienkiewicz came through when it really mattered, giving up three goals in five playoff games and recording three shutouts, including the state semifinal and state championship games.

Tampa Prep will need a new backstop in 2008-09. Sienkiewicz will spend his summer playing soccer against college-aged players to prepare for his first season at South Florida. He'll be a short drive away from Tampa Prep's cozy campus, but it may as well be clear across the state.

It's going to be different.

"It's going to be weird," Sienkiewicz said. "I think practices start Aug. 10 and I'll be back at the bottom again, working my way up. I'm really looking forward to USF, but at the same time it's hard to move on because I really enjoyed Tampa Prep."

BOYS SOCCER FIRST TEAM

Brad Sienkiewicz, Tampa Prep, GK, Sr.

Wes Sever, Tampa Prep, F, So.

Bobby Huertas, Freedom, F, Sr.

Julio Perez, Alonso, F, Sr.

Ali Van Gurp, Jesuit, F, Sr.

Ryan Asare-Bediako, Wharton, Str., Sr.

Joey Layton, Wharton, Str., Jr.

Darnell King, Gaither, MF, Sr.

Ryan Griffin, Tampa Prep, F-MF, Sr.

Greg Sasser, Jesuit, D, Sr.

Dami Phillips, King, D, Sr.