Soccer: Jesuit offense scoring at amazing rate

Minutes after the Jesuit soccer team has taken the field in each of its past five games, balls have started ruffling the backs of the net.

At an amazing rate.

It started with a 15-0 victory against Spoto and proceeded with the following scores: 8-0, 7-0, 3-0 and 7-0, against Middleton, Berkeley Prep, Lakeland Jenkins and Jefferson, respectively.

Add it up and that's 40-0 in five games, pleasing Tigers coach Bob Bauman but also making him a little self-conscious.

"We are playing well," Bauman said. "But it's not like I want to embarrass teams, either. Our philosophy is to not to run up the score on anybody."

That's why 10 different players scored on Spoto and the starters were pretty much all sitting midway through the first half before all the goals were scored.

Leading the way during that stretch and throughout the season - in which the Tigers have scored 60 goals - are Brett Durrance (17 goals, 10 assists) and Tyler Hartlage (12 goals, seven assists).

"The key is that everyone has bought into the system," said Bauman, who believes this team has a solid chance to win a state title for the first time since 2001. "This team is focused and on task."

The Northwest triangle

The addition of Steinbrenner has shifted the balance of power in northwest Hillsborough County, with Steinbrenner joining Sickles and Gaither as the teams to beat.

Just check out tonight's matchup between Steinbrenner and Gaither, and Friday's clash between Sickles and Gaither.

No doubt you'll see intense, passionate battles not only because of the talent, but also because several players on those teams know each other from playing together with the Hillsborough County United youth soccer club.

"There is a lot of pride on the line," Sickles coach Tony Calvo said. "They will fight each other hard on the field, but then afterward they will shake each other's hands and give each other respect."

Gaither coach Eric Sims said it's good to have more competition, but there could end up being some watering down of the level of competition.

"The fact is, (having) more schools is going to spread out the talent," Sims said. "Overall, though, I think it's good for soccer."

The first round in the "Battle of the Northwest Triangle" ended in a 1-1 tie last week between Sickles and Steinbrenner, and it was a hard-fought match from start to finish.

"I know we all look forward to many more meetings," Steinbrenner coach Chad Ebright said. "It's the start of something special."

Girls: Miller recognized by FHSAA

Senior captain Amber Miller is the kind of player Tampa Prep coach Cindy Schofield said is always teaching the rest of the team how to be a better player. So it came as little surprise to Schofield when notice arrived from the FHSAA that Miller had been recognized for her actions on the field by an official.

Schofield said Tampa Prep interim athletic director Mike Flynn recognized Miller at an assembly after receiving notice an official had nominated the senior for an Exceptional Sportsmanship Report after an incident at a game against Merritt Island in November.

During the second half of the match, a Merritt Island player was injured during the course of play. After a few minutes on the ground, Miller helped carry the player off the field and helped her onto a golf cart.

"She's a tremendous athlete, but just a better person," Schofield said. "She's one of those kids that is going to work hard wherever she is."

Schofield said Miller has also made a college decision, verbally committing to Appalachian State.