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Boys Soccer: Martes Leads Patriots' Goal Bonanza

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By SCOTT PURKS

Tribune correspondent

Published: February 14, 2009

TAMPA - For the first time in the school's eight-year history, Freedom is sending a team to a state final four.

And that team is the Patriots' boys soccer squad, which has quite a head of steam built up for its inaugural state semifinal.

In Friday's Class 5A regional final, Freedom beat visiting Lake Howell 6-1, only three days after winning the regional semifinal 6-2 over Land O' Lakes. Add it up and that's 12 goals in two games.

"I'm not sure exactly why that's happening, but I sure hope it keeps on happening," Freedom coach Dennis Derflinger said. "But really, I think at the beginning of the year we pressed too much and now we're letting the game come to us. We're getting in a flow, going with the flow."

It also doesn't hurt that midfielder Manny Martes is almost back to full speed. He has been slowed by a pulled hamstring.

"No doubt, that helps," Derflinger said. "He brings another dimension."

On Friday, he brought three goals, two on headers (in the third and 30th minutes) and another off his left foot (55th minute). His goals made it 3-0 and put the game in the bag.

Alex Landeta scored the Pats' fourth goal in the 71st minute, followed by Deion Jones in the 76th, giving him a goal to go with his three assists. Landeta added his second in the final seconds.

Afterward, Freedom (15-2-5) was happy but not overwhelmingly so. Derflinger said the team is keeping its perspective.

"We know we still have work to do," Derflinger said. "We're not taking anything for granted. We're confident, but not overly confident."

Derflinger said his team has the fresh memory of escaping its regional opener with a 3-2 double overtime victory against River Ridge.

"They know its time to give it everything they have," Derflinger said. "We can't have any letdowns now."

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