5A Boys Soccer: East Lake rolls by Seminole again

East Lake High convincingly polished off a four-game season sweep of rival Seminole High on Tuesday night, winning its Class 5A Region Semifinal home match, 5-1.

After a missing on a number of close calls throughout the first half, the Eagles cashed in during the 38th minute and didn't look back. David Gray sent in a low shot from the right side that Seminole goalkeeper Kenneth Matthews stopped, but East Lake senior Anthony Giordano was in position to bury the rebound.

Giordano (two goals) and East Lake wingers had been giving the Seminole defense fits on the outside during the entire half and the pressure finally paid off.

"I felt our passing was excellent," East Lake coach Sergei Stopek said. "I thought we created a lot chances and it finally started falling into the goal for us."

Similar to the Eagles' 5-0 District 5A-11 win two Fridays ago, the goals came in bunches during Tuesday's match. Senior Ryan Wankat doubled the lead roughly two minutes later in stoppage time with a well-placed strike from about 30 yards out that got over Matthews' reach.

Seminole's frustration began to mount in the second half, evidenced by three yellow cards, as it became apparent the night belonged to East Lake.

The Eagles' lead ballooned to 5-0 before the second-half water break whistle. Kevin Lindquist's cross in the 45th minute was cleanly headed in for the first of senior Brett Hummel's two goals to put East Lake ahead 3-0. Giordano then converted a run down the left side initiated by Tysen Sargent and Hummel for his second goal in the 50th. Hummel capped the Eagles' offensive outburst in the 55th by netting a direct kick just outside the 18 that he snuck past a wall of Seminole defenders.

"I really felt solid about the outcome of the game from start to finish," Stopek said. "I liked the energy we were putting into it."

The win now puts East Lake into a region final match for the first time since advancing that far during back-to-back seasons in 2006 and 2007. It also avenged last season's 4-0 region semifinal loss to Seminole on the same field.

"It wasn't about redemption," Stopek said of East Lake's motivations. "It was more about staying focused and taking one step at a time. This team is definitely driven, they want to play in the state final and that's been the goal."

Giordano dittoed his coach's thoughts about Tuesday night's meaning. "It's big for us, but this game is just a step toward states. That's our main goal."

Seminole avoided being shutout by East Lake again when junior captain Tyler Zulewski scored a late-game, extra time goal. Other than that single moment, Eagles keeper Stephen Barna put together another quality performance in net. The Warhawks were not without their opportunities Tuesday, but Barna consistently shut down attacks when needed, finishing with seven saves.

Stopek said his senior keeper has continued to excel after biding his time for three years behind older players. "Barna has had an incredible series this year. At East Lake we have so many goalkeepers, so Barna didn't get his chance to start until senior year. For the past three years he's been working and waiting for that moment just like the keepers that will follow behind him."

The Eagles will now try to take another of their oft-cited next steps toward a state championship Friday night when they host Gaither High at 7. The District 5A-9 runner-up Cowboys advanced by beating Naples Gulf Coast 3-1 on Tuesday.

BOX SCORE:

Seminole - 0 - 1 --- 1
East Lake - 2 - 3 --- 5

SCORING:

East Lake

Anthony Giordano (Sr.) - 2 Goals (38') (52')
Ryan Wankat (Sr.) - 1 Goal (40+1')
Brett Hummel (Sr.) - 2 Goals (45') (55')
Kevin Lindquist (So.) - 1 Assist

Seminole

Tyler Zulewski - 1 Goal (80+1')