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Boys Regional Soccer Semifinals

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2009

(All games Tuesday, 7 p.m.)

CLASS 6A-REGION 2

MITCHELL (15-12) AT DURANT (24-2)

WHERE: Ron Frost Athletic Complex, 4748 Cougar Path, Plant City

COACHES: Oscar Ubillis (Mitchell); Jamin Hollingsworth (Durant)

PLAYOFF HISTORY: Mitchell 2-2; Durant 5-5

LAST YEAR'S SEMIFINALS: Neither team advanced.

NEED TO KNOW: Mitchell's magical run continues following the Mustangs' 3-0 win against East Bay in the quarterfinals. Mitchell's last appearance in the region semifinals ended in a 4-1 loss to Gaither in 2004. Durant, the 6A-District 7 winner, defeated Gaither 2-0 to advance. The Cougars are 1-3 in region semifinal games. In the only meeting this season, Durant beat the Mustangs 3-2 in the High School Soccer Invitational on Dec. 22.

CLASS 5A-REGION 2

LAND O' LAKES (22-2-2) AT FREEDOM (14-2-5)

WHERE: Freedom Stadium, 17410 Commerce Park Blvd., Tampa

COACHES: Mark Pearson (Land O' Lakes); Dennis Derflinger (Freedom)

PLAYOFF HISTORY: Land O' Lakes 15-13, 5A state runner-up (1999), 3A region champs (2000); Freedom 7-5

LAST YEAR'S SEMIFINALS: Land O' Lakes did not advance; Freedom lost to Wharton 1-0 in two OTs.

NEED TO KNOW: For the first time since 2005, Land O' Lakes advances to the region semifinals. That's the good news. The bad news is the Gators have been eliminated by Freedom in two of the last three years, both times 1-0. Land O' Lakes advanced with a 2-1 overtime win against Wharton while the Patriots needed two overtimes to down River Ridge 3-2. Land O' Lakes is 3-5 all-time in region semifinals, Freedom is 1-4.

CLASS 4A-REGION 2

CELEBRATION (15-2-2) AT HUDSON (18-5-3)

WHERE: Cobra Stadium, 14410 Cobra Way, Hudson

COACHES: Mike Meechin (Celebration); Paul Vescio (Hudson)

PLAYOFF HISTORY: Celebration 1-3; Hudson 7-8

LAST YEAR'S SEMIFINALS: Neither team advanced.

NEED TO KNOW: Hudson won a region quarterfinal game for the first time since 2005 when the Cobras beat Orlando Bishop Moore 2-1 in overtime. Hudson is 1-4 all-time in region semifinals but that win came in 2003 (Bishop Moore 1-0 in penalty kicks). Celebration is making its first region semifinal appearance after beating Pasco 2-0 before an estimated 1,000 screaming fans at home. The last two years, Pasco had sent the Storm home after the quarterfinals.

CLASS 2A-REGION 3

BISHOP MCLAUGHLIN (12-8-1)

AT TAMPA PREP (12-4-3)

WHERE: Tampa Prep, 727 West Cass St., Tampa

COACHES: John Mayer (Bishop McLaughlin); Doug Smith (Tampa Prep)

PLAYOFF HISTORY: Bishop McLaughlin 2-2; Tampa Prep 21-3, three state championships (2005, '07, '08), region champs (2006)

LAST YEAR'S SEMIFINALS: Bishop McLaughlin did not advance; Tampa Prep defeated Calvary Christian 5-1.

NEED TO KNOW: Bishop McLaughlin earned its second region semifinal appearance in three years with a 3-1 win against Cambridge. The Hurricanes lost to Bradenton St. Stephen's 6-0 in 2007. Tampa Prep is 4-0 against Bishop McLaughlin all-time but only managed to beat the Hurricanes 1-0 this season (Dec. 9). The Terrapins beat Academy at the Lakes 3-0 in the region quarterfinals.

Rick Harmon

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