Raiders girls net winning record on field

The last time Plant City High had a winning record in girls soccer was the last - and only - time the Raiders made the playoffs.

It has been a while since that 2000 season.

Although they might not be thinking postseason yet, this year's Raiders have reason for optimism. After a 1-4 start, the Raiders put together a four-game winning streak, sending them above the .500 mark midway through the season.

Second-year head coach Wendy Young said the turning point was a Dec. 7 game against Riverview, where the Raiders were down 1-0 at the half but won 2-1.

"I was proud of them, really proud how they hung in there that game and didn't give up," Young said.

Standout senior Brittany Lindsey and sophomore Lindsey Russell scored the second-half goals.

The next night, Plant City rolled to a 6-0 victory over Tampa Bay Tech with Lindsey scoring twice. She has been one of the Raiders' best players all year, but the team has gotten strong contributions from all over the field.

Goalkeeper Kiersta Castagno, fronted by sweeper Januth Antunez and fellow defender Christina Corzine, have supplied strong support in the back.

If the Lindsey/Lindsey scoring combo sounds like it might create some name confusion (Lindsey Russell had a hat trick against Armwood, but Brittany Lindsey might have had the best all-around game), that's just the beginning.

Antunez has a sister, Estela, who also plays. There are two Nidias - Castro and Gutierrez - who both play and will for years to come, as both are freshmen.

And there are four Brownings, thanks to two sets of sisters who are cousins: Brittany and Taylor, as well as Kailey and Stefani.

It may be tough to crack the postseason this year with teams such as Newsome and East Bay in the district, but Young at least can know there is time to close the gap.

"We have a lot of sophomores on the team, and only four seniors, so the future looks good," she said.