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Rakestraw Leads Plant To Victory

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By JARRETT GUTHRIE

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 9, 2009

TAMPA Plant's girls soccer team seemed hesitant early on Friday night as the Panthers had only three shots on goal by the first-half water break.

"We were pretty much in control for the first 20 minutes of the match," Plant coach Stephen McGill said. "However, despite the quality possession time we had we only managed three shots."

Plant (14-1-1) passed the ball around in front of opponent Durant's net as they dominated possession, but the Panthers weren't taking shots at the net. A change from the midway point of the first half resulted in a stalemate-breaking goal early in the second half from captain Lexi Rakestraw, who took advantage of a loose ball in the box, as the senior midfielder led the Panthers to a 2-1 win.

"I told the team to focus and that the lesson was you can't score unless you shoot," McGill said. "The following 20 minutes got better — and better chances arrived and we broke through in the second half."

The Panthers second goal followed six minutes after the first when a corner kick from Rakestraw was flicked in on a header by Connor Zwetsch. McGill said he had little worries the Panthers' offense would create chances with leadership from his senior captain.

"We've all seen Lexi hit a 45-yard, direct shots to the top post or seen her crush them from all over the field," McGill said. "She brings calm to our team, she takes away the pressure from the other girls shoulders.

"When the other girls see her out there they are confident because they know they have nothing to worry about because she has the ability to do something great."

Plant held a 27-3 advantage in shots on goal thanks to its possession-control style, which was something McGill said wasn't necessarily a strong point for his team. McGill said he wants his team, and especially his forwards, to take control and be confident to shoot in the attacking third of the field.

"We almost possess [the ball] too much, particularly in front of our opponent's net," McGill said. "We do a great job working the ball up the whole length of the field, but we seem to try and make too many passes around the other teams net.

"Once we get the ball up there we need to take more shots and take quality shots at that. If we change our mind-set to a couple of girls who, when they get the ball in front of the goal, say 'I'm going to score,' we'll be set."

The Cougars' goal came down 2-0 on a shot from Marissa Skindell, who stuck with a ball that caromed off the hands of goalkeeper Courtney Zwetsch.

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