Terrapins dominate, advance to final

Michael Spezza and Oscar Skjaerpe scored two goals apiece as the visiting Tampa Prep boys soccer team defeated St. Augustine Saint Joseph, 5-0, in the Class 1A state semifinal Friday night.

Spezza took a ball at the top of the box on the right side, beat a defender and slotted a shot to the back post in the 6th minute staking the Terrapins to an early lead.

The Terrapins dominated Saint Joseph throughout the match taking a four-goal advantage before halftime on another Spezza goal, as well as goals from Macsen Pritchard and Skjaerpe.

Skjaerpe added another goal in the second half in what Terrapins coach Doug Smith said was his team's most complete game of the season.

"We are really peaking at the right time," Smith said. "But on that same note, we know we have to work incredibly hard to come out next week at (the final) and do what we did tonight."

Tampa Prep won the 2A state title in 2008 and 2010.

Jarrett Guthrie

3A: Jesuit falls on PKs

Jesuit coach Bob Bauman said five months ago when the season started, the Tigers were looking to rebuild after losing 15 seniors the previous season. A final four appearance was in the coach's estimation "unthinkable."

"After losing 15 seniors for this team to reach the state semifinals," Bauman said, "was probably unthinkable four or five months ago."

An unthinkable season for the Tigers fell just short of a 3A state final berth as Jesuit fell 1-0 (4-3 pks) to Plantation American Heritage.

"Penalty kicks are … a tough way to lose," Bauman said. "We had our chances they cleared our shots off the line and we cleared their's off the line. It's just a shame (penalty kicks) was the way it had to end."

American Heritage got four straight penalty kicks from Kevin Cabrera, Julian Franco-Betancour, Samuel Vinson and Nicholas Kaupas. Keeper Juan Cano made two huge saves on shots from Brett Durrance and Chris Conlon.

"I guess I managed to get a little bit of a touch on those shots," Cano said. "This was an amazing game and they played us as well as anyone has all season."

The Patriots were possession monsters in the first half, controlling the ball and threatening to score early. American Heritage had four shots on goal to Jesuit's one in the opening half.

The Tigers came out in the second half looking much sharper, putting pressure on the Patriots defense. This continued through two 10-minute overtimes, but Jesuit couldn't find the net.

"That team jumped on us the first 10 to 15 minutes," Bauman said. "I thought the momentum changed after that and thought it was just a matter of time for us and it just didn't happen."

Jarrett Guthrie

3A: Land O' Lakes triumphs

Land O' Lakes will finally have a "home" game.

It may not be in Land O' Lakes, but it will be in Tampa, as the Gators, after downing Fort Walton Beach Chochtawhatee, 2-0, in the 3A state semifinal, will host Plantation American Heritage at USF's Corbett Soccer Stadium.

"This is as close as we'll get to home besides the game at Sunlake (in Land O' Lakes)," said 15th-year Gators coach Mark Pearson, who will coach in his second state final game. "And we'll take it every time."

Land O' Lakes (23-3-2) scored just 10 seconds into the game. Josh Davis chased down a through ball from Nathan Dalton and scored his 32nd goal.

"I've never scored a goal that fast -- ever," Davis said. "I was celebrating before I knew it."

The Gators dominated the first half, outshooting the Indians (22-4), 9-5. But Choctaw came out strong in the second half, picking up numerous chances. The defensive line of Sean Young, Frank Pinciotti, Adam Weinstock and Yanci Algarin helped keeper Mitch McCuen, who had four saves, pick up his second-straight shutout and 11th this season.

With about 3 minutes left, Davis scored the Gators' second goal, clinching a state title berth, the second in team history.

Mike Camunas

4A: Gaither loses to Fleming Island

Coach Eric Sims said his Cowboys struggled against a bigger and more physical Fleming Island team as visiting Gaither fell, 2-0.

The Golden Eagles scored a goal early in the first half when a corner kick bounced around the box and a shot went out of the reach of Gaither keeper Carlos De Oliveria.

The loss marks the end of the season for a Gaither team that proved to be a surprise after losing eight starters from last season.

"Going into the year, I don't think there were a lot of expectations for this team," Sims said. "But we really came together and I personally had a lot of fun coaching this team. Even down, 2-0, in the last 40 seconds they were fighting, they didn't stop and that's all I could ever ask for."

Jarrett Guthrie