• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

Gators look to end district championship drought

November 30, 2010 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

It only seems like the Land O’ Lakes High girls soccer team has always made the playoffs.

The Gators (4-2-2) have reached the postseason each year since 2000, but have not won a district title since 2003, the same year they won the Class 2A state championship. The 2010-11 version has 13 seniors who are ready to bring home a district crown.

Natalie Fontanes

“We all want this to be our best year and a district championship is one of our goals,” said senior defender Natalie Fontanes. “We want to do everything we can to go far and to have no regrets at the end. We’re looking to go out with a bang.”

The team that has stood in Land O’ Lakes’ path the last five seasons has been River Ridge High. The Knights have won the district title at the Gators expense each of those years and have gotten off to a 7-2 mark including a 3-0 win at Land O’ Lakes. The two teams will face off again in New Port Richey Dec. 13.

“They’ve been that barrier for us,” said senior midfielder Alexis Villar. “Hopefully we can get past them this year.”

Senior defender Brittany Nieves added of River Ridge, “They’ve been tough the last bunch of years. They’re a good team, but we hope to be better than them by the end of the season.”

Things may be set up for the Gators to do just that as the Class 4A, District 8 tournament will be hosted by Land O’ Lakes this season. That plus the squad’s experience has 24-year coach Vicky King setting the bar high.

“The goal is to win the second state championship for the program,” King said. “We only have one and we’d like to double that this year. I expect a lot out of these players and they should think the same of themselves.”

King said the team is about 1/3 through their season and she has seen improvement since the start, but believes they have a long way to go.

“They’ll need to get much better to be where we want come districts,” King said. “We need to learn to always set the tempo in each game. We can’t let our opponent set the pace. We want to play fast because we have very good athletes. We can’t let teams slow us down and grind a game out because that’s not what gives us the best chance to win.”

Senior defender Keke Potts enjoys King’s tough approach to coaching. King also coaches Potts with the Fusion Futbol Club of Tampa Bay, which mainly plays out of fields in New Tampa.

“I’ve had her as a coach for years,” Potts said. “She’s basically the only coach I’ve ever had. She’s tough, but only because she sees the potential in you even if you can’t see it yourself. She helps you play your best.”

The Gators defense has allowed 12 goals through their first eight games, a goals against average of 1.5 per game. Senior goalkeeper Tara Marshall has saved 55 of 60 shots in those contests.

On the offensive side, senior Kala Robinson has a team-high five goals, followed by freshman Brooke Silvest’s three and Villar’s two.

Villar made the All-Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) first team last season in part because of her versatility. She can

Alexis Villar

also play forward or defense at any point and has worked hard during the summer to try and make the team again.

“It was really surprising to make the first team last year,” Villar said. “I can’t take the credit though because my team is so good. They’re the only reason I made the team.”

In addition, the Gators soccer team has several standout players from fall sports. Junior Alyssa Lonsway was one of the top runners for the Land O’ Lakes cross country team and has a pair of assists in soccer. On the volleyball court, Morgan Crescent was named the 2010 SAC player of the year.

“I think that shows that we have very good athletes,” King said. “Now we just have to bring it all together and hopefully we’ll be able to add to the banners in the gym.”

The Gators had a game at Hernando High Nov. 29, but results were not available by press time. Land O’ Lakes travels to play Wiregrass Ranch High Dec. 1 after the junior varsity contest.

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

6 Reasons to Consider Remodeling your Bathroom with CMK Construction

March 21, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

Have you wanted to remodel your bathroom for a while now, but need that little extra push to make your decision? Check … [Read More...] about 6 Reasons to Consider Remodeling your Bathroom with CMK Construction

Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

March 7, 2023 By Kelli Carmack

One of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s main missions is being a champion for culture. “Celebrating culture is a vital … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds African American Club of Pasco

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

03/23/2023 – Betmar Chorus

The Betmar Chorus will perform its annual Spring Concert on March 22 at 2 p.m., and on March 23 and March 24 at 7 p.m., at Betmar Acres, 37145 Lakewood Drive, Clubhouse 2, in Zephyrhills. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The choir will perform a variety of show tunes, hymns, spirituals and classics. Tickets will be available at the door for $5. For information, all 810-837-0520. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Betmar Chorus

03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Farm Share, Veteran’s Memorial Park, the Gentlemen’s Course, Samaritan Corporation of Pasco County Inc., and the Pasco County NAACP will team up for a free community food distribution on March 23 at Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road in Hudson. The food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m., until the items run out. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Free Food Distribution

03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

B Creative Painting Studio, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 103, in Wesley Chapel will host “Paint with Puppies” on March 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in support of the Mercy Full Project. Guests can get creative and cuddle with puppies. Only 50 spots available. An RSVP and $5 deposit is required online at tinyurl.com/PaintWithPuppy. Balance will be due at the event. The total cost of $50 includes a dog bowl, paint, glaze and fire of the bowl. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Paint with Puppies

03/23/2023 – Puzzle Club

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Puzzle Club on March 23 at 4:45 p.m., for ages 18 and older. Bring some friends. Puzzles will be provided. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/23/2023 – Puzzle Club

03/25/2023 – America is Awesome

Lucas, Macysyzn & Dyer, Injury Lawyers and the Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Community Foundation will host an “America is Awesome Celebration” on March 25 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 9426 Little Road in New Port Richey. The event will include live music from 5 Shades of Grey and Southbound 75; fireworks; a DJ dance party, silent auction; raffles; 50/50; car show, food and drink; and more. All proceeds will benefit K9 for Partners and local law enforcement. General admission is free. VIP tickets are available. Donations for parking will be accepted. For information, visit America is Awesome Celebration on Facebook. … [Read More...] about 03/25/2023 – America is Awesome

03/25/2023 – Arts Benefit

The Pasco Fine Arts Council will host a Benefit for the Arts & Silent Auction on March 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Pasco Arts Gallery, 4145 Fairford Drive in New Port Richey. Wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served. For information, visit PascoArts.org. … [Read More...] about 03/25/2023 – Arts Benefit

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: