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Osceola Upsets Seminole In 5A-11

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A Tribune staff report

Published: January 24, 2009

SEMINOLE - Osceola goalie Britney Bennett's 14 saves and a pair of second-chance goals by forward Lindsey Gentes helped the Lady Warriors upset three-time defending district champion Seminole 2-1 in the Class 5A-District 11 final Friday night.

"Our team was so psyched to go into this. I think a team effort made this happen. I give it up to the forwards who put it in. Lindsey Gentes had a great game," Bennett said.

In the first half, neither team took advantage of set-piece chances. Osceola found gaps in the defense but could not get a good look at the goal. Seminole kept the pressure on Bennett, and even with multiple two-on-one advantages, Bennett's sturdy hands kept the Warhawks off the scoreboard.

"Britney is a phenomenal keeper. She knows where to play and how to play. She pumps up the whole team," Osceola coach Tom Davis said.

Gentes' first goal came five minutes into the second half, a second-chance shot from a ricochet off the crossbar in a crowded Warhawks penalty box. Gentes received another gift opportunity 11 minutes later on a mishandled touch from Warhawks goalie Casey Merson, a deflected ball that she punched back into the net. With a two-goal advantage, Osceola sat back and helped Bennett protect her goal.

Seminole got a late goal by Megan Lawrence.

Matthew Parke

Palm Harbor Tops East Lake

TARPON SPRINGS - Junior forward Catherine Brinkman scored in both halves, leading Palm Harbor University past host East Lake 3-0 in the Class 5A-District 9 title game Friday night. Both goals were unassisted from inside the box.

Junior Queli Ornelas scored for Palm Harbor with 5:44 left in the first half, giving the Hurricanes momentum for the second half.

"It's nice being able to stay home," said Palm Harbor coach John Planamenta.

The Hurricanes will host a regional quarterfinal Thursday night. Planamenta stressed the importance of not overlooking East Lake in the district championship, and he emphasized that the team must not look past East Lake if they meet in the region tournament.

"They're fighters, they're scrappers, and they won't stop," East Lake coach Tony Polito said concerning his team's focus on the regionals.

Last year, Palm Harbor lost to East Lake in the region tournament.

Aaron Hanbury

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