Newsome edges Raiders

A 3-1 lead seemed like a pretty good sign for Plant City High in its quest to make the boys soccer regional finals, but Newsome had other ideas.

Newsome came back and beat the Raiders 4-3 in double overtime in the Feb. 9 Class 5A-Region 2 semifinals. That deprived the Raiders of a first trip to the region finals for soccer.

Still, Plant City put on the field what was likely the best team in school history, finishing with a 15-3-2 record.

Three of those five non-victories were courtesy of Newsome, and in each case the Wolves tallied late. But that's not necessarily a reason to lament Plant City's fate, said its head coach, Stephen Rossiter.

"Coming into the year, I knew that between us and Newsome, one of us could go all the way to state. They're a very consistent team - real strong chemistry - and they are constantly motivated. They don't let down," Rossiter said.

True to that form, Newsome overcame the 3-1 margin in the final 20 minutes to force overtime against the Raiders. Steven Gonzalez, who also recorded a hat trick in Newsome's playoff-opening win against Brooksville Central, got his third goal to end the game.

The heartbreaking finish was no fun, but Rossiter was able to take a positive outlook away from it.

"The game could have gone either way. Heading into the game, and then heading into the overtime, there was that feeling that you just didn't know how it would end," Rossiter said.

Alan Black scored Plant City's first goal, and standout senior Esgar Montelongo had the other two, giving him 26 for his final season.

Also departing will be key starters, goalie Chris Sullivan and defender Kendall Aguilar. Exchange student Dragan Jovanksi, whose midfield leadership was key, is also leaving the school but will probably try to land an American college scholarship rather than return to Macedonia.

But the rest of Plant City's top players will be coming back.

"When we started off the season, honestly, it was about building a foundation and looking at next year as being 'The Year for Raider Soccer,'" Rossiter said. "But they shocked me with how fast they put it together, and obviously we had quite a team."

Rossiter was especially proud of Montelongo, who struggled with grades and was ineligible last season but worked hard. He thinks Montelongo, who is Rossiter's godson, will be able to land a small-college scholarship.

Newsome was scheduled to play Auburndale on Friday night. The winner of that game advanced to this week's state semifinals at the University of Tampa.