TAMPA - Jesuit used its strong defense to roll to the Class 5A-District 10 boys soccer championship Saturday afternoon. The Tigers defeated Plant 5-0 at Leto.
The top-seeded Tigers (24-2) took the lead after only two minutes as Chase Fifner scored off an assist from Stefan Edwards.
That was the only goal Jesuit's defense needed. Entering the game, the Tigers had only allowed one goal in district play and repeatedly turned Plant (8-5-5) away Saturday.
The Tigers also managed to keep a steady stream of pressure on the Panthers' goal, recording 30 shots on goal, and by halftime had taken a 4-0 lead as Brian Hartlage, Ali Van Gurp and Paolo Pecora also found the net. Plant goalkeeper Kyle Henson did what he could, making 19 saves, but he and the Panthers' defense were unable to withstand the Tigers' pressure.
Russell Moore added a fifth goal in the second half, giving Jesuit a total of 102 goals in its 26 games.
The game was suspended for 30 minutes in the first half when Plant's William Munch was knocked out near the Jesuit goal. The senior captain was tended to by paramedics and taken by ambulance to a hospital.
"He has an apparent head injury and we want to be sure he is fine," said Plant coach Chad Ebright. "He collided with the goalkeeper and probably was knocked out when he hit the ground."
Jesuit coach Bob Baumann was pleased with his team's fast start.
"We came out fast. I thought we played well and got the game under control. I'm proud of our team," Baumann said.
Both teams advance to regional play Thursday. Jesuit will host Palm Harbor while Plant travels to East Lake.
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