Soccer semifinals tonight

Tonight's semifinal matches at East Bay for the Class 5A, District 8 girls soccer tournament may be little more than routine for East Bay and Newsome, the top two teams.

The regular-season matches between the two teams for the past four years have been some of the toughest of any contests in the county with three of the four ending in a tie. This season's 2-2 tie added to what has become a big rivalry.

In district play this season, the Indians and Wolves have been impressive. The teams have made short work of the district's other five teams (Armwood, Durant, Plant City, Riverview and Tampa Bay Tech), with the exception of a close East Bay 2-1 victory against Durant.

East Bay is the top seed in 5A-8, by virtue of a tiebreaker, and is hosting the district tournament. The winners of tonight's semifinals get an automatic berth in next week's regional quarterfinals and will meet Friday in the district championship.

Newsome has outscored district opponents, 36-2, on the season, while East Bay has outscored opponents, 26-4. The regular-season meeting Dec. 8 saw the Indians rally late with a goal from Brittany Cox to tie the game. Cox is the Indians' leading scorer and along with Delaney Poli gives East Bay a lot of speed and experience from the forward position.

The Wolves attack has four players with double-digit goal totals on the season in junior Karina Gutsche, sophomores Caroline Evers and Jackie Simpson, as well as freshman Taylor Decaire.

After the match in December, East Bay keeper Andrea Owens was already looking ahead saying, "I can't wait to see them again in the district playoffs."

It's true there was a lot of season to go at that time, but Owens' comments may point to the added intensity of the rivalry.

"I know Newsome hasn't always considered us a rival, but we see them as our biggest rival," East Bay coach Becky Wickham said. "And our goal is to win districts this year."

Newsome coach Kelly Townsend was quick to respond to those thoughts saying her team has no confusion about what East Bay is capable of, or what the Wolves can do.

"We are ready to work hard and we know we have a tough road ahead of us," Townsend said.