Honeymoon postponed but date with state finals worth it

By now, newlyweds Gary and Janet Kolb expected to be enjoying their honeymoon, relaxing on Amelia Island, just off the northeast coast of Florida.

Problem is, the St. Petersburg Catholic girls soccer team Gary coaches -- and the one Janet acts as something of a team mom -- just kept on winning soccer games after they got married Jan. 29.

In fact, the Barons have won so many playoff games in the postseason, the Kolbs postponed their full honeymoon until June. But considering their St. Petersburg Catholic squad has reached the Florida High School Athletics Association final four for the first time ever, they figure the delay was well worth it.

"My new bride is very understanding," Gary Kolb said. "After the wedding, we had a mini-honeymoon on St. Pete Beach, rather than the east coast, and the whole time we were in and out of soccer practices and playoff games."

St. Petersburg Catholic's girls will make their state semifinals debut Thursday at 12:45 p.m., when they will face Orlando Lake Highland Prep at the University of Tampa's Pepin-Rood Stadium.

The Barons' improbable postseason run began with the district tournament, where they entered play with a record of 7-11. Of course, the Barons had played a competitive regular season schedule. Their losses included those to schools that at the time were ranked either nationally or state, including Clearwater Central Catholic, Newsome, Seminole, Berkeley Prep, Bloomingdale and Plant.

But it was in their district semifinal against CCC -- a slim 1-0 victory -- where something seemed to click for the Barons.

"I think in that game it really hit me and a lot of the senior players that unless we won, this could be our very last game for St. Pete Catholic," said senior Emily DiVito, who has committed to attend and compete for prestigious Wellesley (Mass.) College, just outside of Boston. "Obviously, we didn't want that to happen and I really think we came together as a team that game."

Since then, SPC has not surrendered a goal. The Barons went on to win the district title match 4-0 over Tampa Catholic, produced the same scoreline against Lakeland McKeel in the regional quarterfinals, beat TC again in the regional semifinals, this time by a 3-0 margin, and, in last week's regional final, traveled to Fort Myers and defeated Bishop Verot on its artificial turf 2-0.

With that win, the Barons finally rose above the .500 mark at 12-11.

The shutouts have been no accident. Including DiVito, there's two other seniors in the back defending for SPC -- Alyee Gilbert and Liz Prather -- and an experienced junior goalkeeper, Maggie Dalessio.

DiVito's little sister, Genevieve, is also a regular in the Barons' defense. She says Emily's vocal leadership has been one reason the Barons have put something of a steel curtain in front of goal. If you're on the field, Genevieve says, expect Emily to "correct" what you are doing wrong, even if you are related to her.

"She corrects everyone but it's a little worse coming from your sister," Genevieve says. "I definitely know when I mess up. But it's good when people expect a lot out of you."

For all the experience on his roster, Kolb starts two freshmen, Hannah Dawkins in midfield and Erin Hillman at striker. Hillman was brought up from the junior varsity for the district tournament and Kolb says she gives the Barons the one thing they were lacking -- speed and a breakaway scoring threat up top. Kolb calls Dawkins a "force" in the midfield, playing beyond her years and scoring the opening goal against Bishop Verot.

As much as a Cinderella story this seems for a squad making it's first state final four showing in the program's 29-year history, Kolb says he knew this group of girls had a chance to do something special in the postseason. He just didn't realize it until after he had made his wedding plans.

But even that could turn out to be an even richer experience because he and his wife now plan a honeymoon trip in June -- to Italy.

"It's all about belief, living in the moment and seizing the opportunities that life puts in front of you," Kolb said. "No matter what happens next, these girls have done that."