Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Steinbrenner halfback Kendall Pearcey would not be denied during the final home game of his high school career.

The Warriors (4-5) went blow for blow against Chamberlain, spoiling their opponent’s playoff aspirations in a 35-28 home win Nov. 2.

It was the third straight victory for Steinbrenner, which started the season 1-4.

“It was amazing,” said Pearcey, who finished with 227 total yards and four touchdowns. “It was my last game after being at Steinbrenner, and I knew I wanted to go out with a bang.”

Pearcey was an offensive force all night, compiling 107 receiving yards on four receptions, including a 65-yard catch just before halftime that tied the game 21-21.

The Chiefs (4-5) regained a lead 28-27 in the third quarter, but the Warriors clawed back to tie the game in the fourth.

Then, with the game on the line, Steinbrenner turned to Pearcey again.

The Warriors moved the ball from their own 25 to the Chiefs’ 4-yard line, eating up the clock with 12 plays. Quarterback Curtis Fitch handed it to the four-year starter, who ran in for the winning score with 1:13 left to play.

“I told (my team) before the game that I’m not walking off this field without winning,” Pearcey said. “They believed in me, I believed in them and we all gave it 110 percent on the field.”

The Chiefs made one last effort to tie it from Steinbrenner’s 25-yard with five seconds remaining, but failed with an incomplete pass.

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Like almost everyone in the United States, Austin Grey was changed by 9/11.

The Saint Leo University (SLU) sophomore remembers clearly watching the event unfold while in eighth grade at Fox Middle in Spring Hill.

“I was sitting in my history class, and it really bothered me,” said Grey, 25. “I wasn’t old enough to go in the armed forces, but I always had it in the back of my head that it was something I would look into doing.”

He had a choice after graduating from Central High in 2006: join the military or pursue a career in golf, a game he picked up at age 5. Grey was a standout while playing for the Bears and was named the 2004 Player of the Year for the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

Grey had been recruited by SLU, but opted to join the Marine Corps.

“I did want him to come out of high school,” said eighth-year SLU coach Ray Cisbani. “It was a really good recruiting class that year, and he would have been an intricate part of that. He was up front with me and said he wants to go serve the country. I obviously respected him for that.”

Grey spent five years and three months in the military, rising to the rank of corporal. He was deployed to Kuwait at the end of 2008, where he was with security forces.

“Our main objective when we were over there was training the local police, and then we did bilevel training with the Kuwaiti National Guard for about 30 days,” Grey said. “We basically helped train their forces, really, and we exposed weaknesses in the embassy.”

Grey said the culture shock of going halfway around the world wasn’t as bad as he anticipated.

“I was relatively safe where I was at,” Grey said. “It was weird because the first restaurant I saw when I got there was a Chili’s, so it could have been a lot worse.”

The calmness of the golf course is a big change from what he experienced while serving.

“Well, there’s no gunfire on the golf course, usually,” Grey said with a smile. “I don’t know. I don’t know how to explain it. I enjoy golf. I like being out there. I also enjoyed being in the military. They’re obviously completely different; very different career paths.”

He attended the College of the Desert in 2012, where he continued his passion for golf. There, he was a California Community College Athletic Association conference and state medalist.

After his first year of college, Grey decided to see if Cisbani was still interested in having him join the Lions. His coach was thrilled to get a second chance at recruiting him.

“I was looking for his kind of chemistry to add to the team,” Cisbani said.

Cisbani knew Grey since age 11 because he competed against his son in soccer and golf while growing up.

“He was always intense,” Cisbani said. “I was telling my wife how intense he was when he won a meet, and what she said was, ‘I remember how intense he was in soccer.’ He was always that way with soccer and golf. The Marine Corps probably just stepped that up. I like intensity.”

Cisbani said Grey’s experience serving helped him become a mentally tough golfer.

“I’m sure what he went through matured him, and I think golf, more so than any other sport that has been played, it’s a sport where maturity is most important,” Cisbani said. “You hear it all the time. He comes in at a little older age. He brings that calmness, but that intensity that we want.”

Grey’s talents were on full display during the Indian Bayou Classic Oct. 9. He shot a two-under 70 on the final round to win the individual tournament championship.

“It was an awesome experience,” said Grey, who is majoring in sports business. “I expect to do well. I don’t come to play and do bad. To win, I kind of expected to put myself in a position to win. The main goal is to help the team win.”

The Lions concluded the season at the Rollins Invitational Oct. 22 to 23, four days before Grey and his fiancée, Gina, were married.

Grey said his goal is to be a professional golfer and has high aspirations for his final two years of college.

“I want to win a national title with this team,” Grey said. “That’s the goal.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Freedom girls golfer Terese Romeo fought through pain in her surgically repaired right wrist to shoot a pair of 79s to finish tied for 11th at the Class 2A tournament Oct. 30 and 31.

Adding to the sophomore’s challenge were windy conditions at Harbor Hills Golf Club in Lady Lake, and Romeo was playing back-to-back days for the first time in more than a year because of the wrist surgeries.

Despite being visibly upset with her play at the event, she felt it was a building block for next season.

“It was different; definitely a test of my endurance and my mental capacity,” Romeo said. “I definitely need some work, but I think it was a good start.”

On Day 2, the Patriots’ lone representative at states played well early, but struggled on the back nine.

She tossed her golf club in frustration after missing a pair of putts on the 15th hole. Freedom coach Rich Simard pulled her aside before the 16th, telling her to stay calm.

“With Terese, she’s a fighter; she fights to the end, and she never gives up even when things really aren’t going very well,” Simard said. “I told her to fight to the end and to play each hole one at time and play those (last) three holes, and she finished strong.”

Romeo battled back and said she was satisfied with the result.

“I take my round three holes at a time, and I just told myself, ‘Okay, this is just three holes,’” Romeo said. “Coach just told me to kind of stay down and relax and to have fun. That’s really what I was out there for.”

As for Steinbrenner, the only area girls team that advanced to states, no member could manage to break 80 on either day as the Warriors finished 14th overall with 733 total score.

Sophomore Claire Becker led Steinbrenner with an 84 and an 88 to finish with 172 and sophomore Kelsy Holbert had the team’s best score on Day 2 (84) to finish with 177.

“(In the first round) I couldn’t really figure out what I was doing wrong, and then this morning on the range I worked it out,” Holbert said. “I was just going to have fun and try not to get mad and play better, but it was a great experience.”

Warriors coach Mark Mann said it was good to reach the goals he laid out before the season, but he knows his squad will want even more next year.

“It’s a great accomplishment just for the girls to get here,” Mann said. “I kind of put it in perspective and told them how many other teams would like to trade spots with us right now and be able to be one of the final 16 teams. I’m sure they’re disappointed in their showing, but it’s the first time they’ve been here. … I was proud of them. They played well.”

 

 

Stanger takes third in Class 2A

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Gaither’s lone representative at the Class 2A state boys golf tournament Jimmy Stanger finished 1-over-par to place third overall at Deer Island Country Club in Tavares Oct. 30 and 31.

The senior and University of Virginia commit shot a 74 on Day 1 and followed with a 71 to post a 145, four strokes off the championship pace of St. Petersburg’s John MaGuire and two behind Plant’s Brad White.

“I went in looking for nothing less than a win, but finishing in the top three isn’t something I’m upset about,” Stanger said. “There were some pretty darn good scores put up.”

Stanger said the temperature when he started on Day 1 was 45 degrees and the wind was 30 to 35 mph throughout the event. That, mixed with knowing it was the final event of his senior year, added to the anxiety.

“I wish I could say I was just focusing on my game,” Stanger said. “You want your last round to be your best. I had no idea where I stood on the last day. I thought my second day score might be good enough, but John and Brad played great too.”

Stanger finished tied for 28th by shooting a 15-over 159 at the same event last year in his first trip to states. Stanger earned individual district and regional championships this season en route to his performance at the 2A tournament.

“Senior year was harder than I expected just because I felt like everyone expected a lot out of me, and I expect a lot out of me too,” Stanger said. “There was a lot of pressure, but it’s been a great blessing, and I’ve loved this year.”

Stanger, who averaged a 1-under 35 for nine-hole rounds this season, also thanked Cowboys coach Dwayne Olinger, who became Gaither’s coach during his freshman season.

“He’s been great,” Stanger said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better coach, and he’s a big reason why I’ve made states the last two years.”

 

Saddlebrook Prep claims sixth

The Saddlebrook Prep boys golf team finished sixth overall at the Class 1A state tournament at Mission Inn & Club at Howey-in-the-Hills Oct. 30 and 31.

Saddlebrook shot a two-day total of 648, 43 behind first-place Plantation American Heritage. The Spartans were led by freshman Ryoto Furuya’s two-day 159 and eighth-grader Won Jun Lee’s 160.

 

CDS’ Rami finishes tied for 21st

Carrollwood Day School (CDS) sophomore girls golfer Claudia Rami shot a two-day total of 158 to finish tied for 21st at the Class 1A state tournament at Mission Inn & Club at Howey-in-the-Hills Oct. 30 and 31.

Rami was 13 strokes behind tournament champion Windermere Prep’s Simin Feng. Academy at the Lakes senior Mallory Etcheberry, a University of Akron commit, shot a 161 to tie for 29th, while Bishop McLaughlin freshman Brooke Dalton carded a 199 to place 78th.

 

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Madison Seuzeneau said the Steinbrenner volleyball team was relaxed before its Class 7A regional quarterfinals contest Oct. 31.

The Warriors (18-8) were so calm that they played a laughter-filled game of tag while waiting for St. Petersburg to arrive at their gym. Steinbrenner swept the Green Devils (20-9) 25-16, 25-22, 25-19 to advance to the semifinals for the third straight year after the less-than-conventional warm up.

“We didn’t think it was going to be this easy because it’s hard to win these regional games,” said Seuzeneau, a senior outside hitter. “We tried to stay relaxed and not think about the fact that we’ve made it past this round the last two years.”

The Warriors rode their defense to the straight-set victory thanks in part to junior Casey McLean.

The junior, who racked up 14 digs and three aces, moved from starting setter to defense specialist (DS) halfway through the year to bolster the Warriors’ back row.

It also allowed the squad to move from the 6-2 rotation, which uses two setters, to allow for other substitutions while giving its hitters consistency from one setter — sophomore Brooke Royals (23 assists).

“When you use two different setters you get different sets and different heights on it,” McLean said. “Our hitters needed to have one type of set, so I got moved to DS because Brooke’s sets were probably better attuned for our hitters, and then I could help with defense.”

First-year Steinbrenner coach Laura Stegenga added, “She’s such a leader, and she needs to be on the court. It’s just a matter of the dynamic of our team and where we could use her the most. Truthfully, we really need more help on our back row. … Tonight picking up all those tips, keeping the ball alive and her energy on the court helps as well.”

McLean had no experience at DS before this season, but said the spot is growing on her.

“There’s a lot of satisfaction with digging up someone’s all-out hit and turning it into offense,” McLean said.

 

Adding to the back row was senior libero Natalia Campos (15 digs), junior outside hitter Rachel Mathison (eight digs) and Seuzeneau (six digs).

Steinbrenner also used the block as a weapon. Four rejections came from sophomore middle hitter Lauren Heldt (six kills), one of which came on the match’s final point.

Heldt combined with junior rightside hitter Madison Powell on two blocks in the third set and also altered several Green Devils attacks.

“(Powell) talks to me the entire time and helps me get to the right spot,” Heldt said. “We’re moving and then we’re up at the right times. She just jumps through the roof.”

Stegenga was quick to point out that the Warriors had a height advantage, but added it was good to see blocks being executed.

“We’re just going to run into bigger hitters, but we were closing on our block really well,” Stegenga said.

St. Petersburg stayed with Steinbrenner early in the first, taking a 5-4 lead, but the Warriors ran away with the set from there.

The Warriors picked up where they left off in the second, jumping out to leads of 11-5 and 21-14. The Green Devils answered with a 6-0 run, closing the score to 21-20 and forcing Stegenga to take a timeout.

“The entire timeout was about communication, and I had them tell me what’s wrong,” Stegenga said. “They said, ‘We’re not talking to each other.’ We asked them why, they talked about it and they went back on the court and picked it up a little bit, but definitely something we need to improve on going into the semifinals.”

Steinbrenner took the first three points after the timeout with kills from Heldt, Seuzeneau and Mathison to help close the second.

The Warriors stayed hot in the third by taking 12 of the first 15 points and rode the momentum to sealing the match.

Mathison and Seuzeneau, who had 10 and nine kills, respectively, led the offense.

Steinbrenner plays at Clearwater Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. The Warriors have never advanced beyond the regional semifinals, and are matched up against the squad that eliminated them last season in five sets.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wharton volleyball team’s most successful season in recent memory ended Oct. 30 at Palm Harbor in the Class 8A regional quarterfinals 25-21, 25-20, 27-25.

The Wildcats (25-3) were tantalizingly close to winning their first playoff match in the program’s 15-year history, but fell to 0-8 all-time in regionals.

Just making it the postseason for the first time since 2006 is quite a turnaround for a program that was 6-13 in 2009 and 9-8 in 2010. The 2012 squad also set the program record for wins in a season.

“It’s been really exciting,” said Wharton senior setter Ashton Stocker. “I think the most important thing is that we had a very successful season and helped make the program better. It’s tough to lose, but I think if you look at the season as a whole it was really a win for us.”

Stocker finished with a team-high 20 digs and 20 assists against the Hurricanes (16-12) in her first career playoff match.

“I think we all tried to play it like it was just another game in the regular season so that we didn’t get psyched out,” Stocker said. “It was exciting, and it was cool to play in my first regional game.”

The Wildcats’ usually fast offense was a bit off, which Palm Harbor capitalized on.

“I don’t think they did anything we didn’t expect,” said Wharton coach Eric Barber. “They run a very fast offense, but it’s not something we haven’t seen before. They were proficient in doing exactly what we didn’t do, which is turn defense into offense, so that’s one thing going into next season we’ll look to get better at.”

Wildcats did have 10 blocks against the Hurricanes, eight from freshman middle hitter Lindsey Schaible, but speed of setting up their wall was not where it normally is.

“Defensively we didn’t do the things we needed to do,” Barber said. “Our block was a little bit slow to get to hit, and that’s one of our strong points, so that’s what’s frustrating about this particular loss is losing with your strength. We didn’t block like we normally do, and they did a great job of finding the open spots.”

Wharton started slowly in the first set, falling into a 7-3 hole the New Tampa squad couldn’t climb out of.

The Wildcats flipped the script in the second, jumping out to a 7-4 lead thanks to a pair of Schaible blocks. Senior outside hitter Caci Andreychuk put down a kill to pull her squad ahead 20-19, but the ‘Canes stormed back to take the final six points.

The third was hotly contested. Wharton looked like it would claim the set when Palm Harbor hit a pair of attack attempts out to go ahead 21-19, but the host fought back to take a 24-23 lead.

Andreychuk gave her squad life with her 16th kill of the match to tie the set, but she was called on a carry on an attack attempt on the next point.

Palm Harbor took the match when miscommunication between the Wildcats let the winning point find the floor.

Andreychuk finished with 16 kills and 13 digs. Freshman libero Chanelle Hargreaves had eight digs, while junior defensive specialist Kylie Paul had 15.

Barber gave credit to his seniors — defensive specialist Caitlin Lievre (four digs), rightside hitter Kathryn Kastner (three digs), Andreychuk and Stocker — for the program’s growth.

“They put us on the map,” Barber said. “This last couple of years has been something that’s really made this program stand out, and it’s their hard work.”

Stocker is excited about what the underclassmen can do in the future.

“I think they’ll pick things right up next year and continue to do well,” Stocker said. “I’ll just keep cheering them on. They’ll be great.”

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

Freedom falls at Clearwater

The Freedom volleyball team lost at Clearwater Oct. 31 in the Class 7A regional semifinals 25-13, 25-22, 26-24. The Patriots (16-12), who were also beaten by the Tornadoes last season, will have to wait at least another year for the program’s first playoff win.

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Steinbrenner boys cross country team took Places 2 through 6 at the Class 3A-District 8 meet at Lake Park in Lutz Nov. 2.

The Warriors, also known as The Boss Cross, totaled 20 points to best Sickles by 23. Their top-five runners, who are all seniors, finished within 0.4 seconds of each other.

“It’s just like we do in workouts,” said Chris Cerreta. “We always stress running as a team. We weren’t thinking about who was going to win on the team. We’re just trying to get us all across the line together.”

Tanner Biles took second overall (17 minutes 17 seconds), followed by Tyler Lima, Cerreta, Matt Magee and Zach Lima in 0.1 second intervals, respectively.

“It brought a smile to my face seeing them all cross together,” said third-year Steinbrenner coach Bobby McConnell. “They really are a team and truly care about each other.”

Besides Biles, who transferred from Freedom as a junior, the top five have been with the program since it opened in 2009.

“They’ve matured so much the last four years,” McConnell said. “They’ve become students of the sport.”

A pair of area girls also advanced to regionals.

Gaither junior Rachel Cazares finished third by running a 20:39 after sitting out of the Hillsborough County meet in October because of pain in her left foot. She said she started feeling good again two days before districts.

“I was pretty much where I wanted to be,” Cazares said. “I was thinking second or maybe surprise people with a win, but I’m happy and ready to get them next time.”

Steinbrenner senior Lauren Garris is also working to overcome a physical setback. She had an appendectomy less than two months ago, but recovered enough to take 10th (21:27).

“I’m surprised, honestly, that I made it,” said Garris about putting up her best performance of the year. “It was really hard. I haven’t tried that hard all season. … It’s been a rough season. I wanted to make regionals for my dad (Paul) and for myself. I knew it could be my last race.”

Garris said it’s been frustrating to deal with the discomfort while pushing to improve.

“I feel like I should be better,” Garris said. “It’s not like my legs or I’m really tired. It’s just every time I push my stomach gets tight. … Hopefully by track season it’s better.”

Garris, Cazares and the Warriors boys will compete at regionals Nov. 10 at Lecanto High starting at 9:30 a.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Wiregrass Ranch girls cross country runner Nikita Shah had done nearly everything in her high school career except win an individual district title.

The senior accomplished that mission at the Class 3A-District 6 meet Nov. 2 at Crews Lake Park in Shady Hills. The Harvard University commit dominated the field by completing the 5-kilometer course in 18 minutes 39 seconds.

“I feel like all my hard work has paid off,” Shah said. “I was really grateful for my past district competition. … (It was) a bit hot, but it was hot for everybody. None of us are used to running in the evening.”

The Bulls put up 47 points to capture their fifth straight district title, winning by 29 over Sarasota. Wiregrass Ranch coach Don Howard said he was proud of his team, especially Shah.

“She knew coming in she would be in front,” Howard said. “The girls, we knew we were far enough ahead of our competition that we could just relax and run for time.”

Other top times by the Bulls were turned in by senior Berlin Waters (20:14, sixth place), junior Elise Cedre (20:54, 11th place) and sophomore Addie Cornwell (21:10, 14th place).

Wiregrass Ranch won despite being without No. 3 runner freshman Madison Conway, who was participating at the regional swim meet. Howard said his squad fared well and will be prepared for regionals.

“We’ve done hill work since June,” Howard said. “We’ve spent a lot of time in San Antonio running the hills there, running there weekly. … We won’t change anything.”

On the boys’ side, Wiregrass Ranch edged Land O’ Lakes by six points to finish as the runner-up behind Sarasota. The Bulls have been shorthanded all year after No. 1 runner Ermias Bireda missed the first half of the year with shin inflammation.

Bireda (16:49) took fifth despite pulling a muscle in his back during the first lap. The senior said he knew he had to fight through the injury to keep his team in the running for second.

“I pulled something in my lower back on the first mile, so I fell off the front group,” Bireda said. “It kind of (stunk), I’m not going to lie, but I just had to score for my team and I did the best that I could.”

The Bulls placed five runners in the top 20, including Thor Alastre (16:52, seventh place), Patrick Hill (17:07, 10th place) and Ben Hall (17:18, 12th place).

Bireda said it was really special to see the team perform well, especially against a team like Land O’ Lakes.

“My team did really well … everyone on the team, they all did great,” Bireda said. “To come back and beat (the Gators), it’s definitely a great feeling.”

Land O’ Lakes was paced by juniors Travis Nichols (16:20) and Tyler Stahl (16:28), who finished third and fourth, respectively.

The three squads all earned spots at regionals, which is at Lecanto High Nov. 10 starting at 9:30 a.m.

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

The Freedom girls cross country team finished as the Class 4A-District 6 runner-up for the second straight year Nov. 1 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa.

The Patriots captured second place in record fashion as six of the seven runners set personal records to finish with 64 points, 49 off Plant’s perfect score. Meet host Wharton came within one point of Freedom to finish third.

“I knew Wharton would be coming hard and they had us in the virtual meet at districts in third, so I knew it would be tight,” said Patriots coach Dwight Smith. “I know when we get to regionals, it will be a little more spread out. As far as my team’s performance, I’m proud of them.”

Freedom was paced by Annie Tedesco (19 minutes 58 seconds), who finished eighth. Teammates Lauren Arfaras (20:14) and Alex Mitchell (20:15) placed 9th and 10th, respectively.

Mitchell, a senior, said it felt great to move on to regionals and inch closer to the team’s goal of reaching states in consecutive years.

“It feels good to finish second,” Mitchell said. “Plant’s a really good team, and we just tried our best and competed. Can’t really do anything else.”

Tedesco, who spent most of the first lap in the top three before the Panthers zipped by, added she didn’t know where the squad had placed initially, but was excited when she found out.

“We’re trying to get second place at regionals too, that’s what we’re planning on,” Tedesco said.

Smith said his Patriots are peaking at the right time.

“I think we’re running better than we did last year at this time, especially on the back end,” Smith said. “My No. 4 and 5 runners ran pretty good. They all ran really well, (Mitchell) beating Wharton’s No. 2 (Kallie Golicher) to the line pretty much sealed our second-place finish. I told the girls at our team dinner the other night that this is the best cross country team I’ve had since getting to Freedom.”

For Wharton, Mariah Henderson (19:24) finished seventh and Golicher (20:15.10) was denied a top 10 spot by a footstep.

On the boys side, the Patriots placed third with 83 points behind Plant and Bloomingdale, respectively.

Freedom’s highest finisher, Adam Urbaniak (16:53.46), finished ninth, while teammate Brandon Edwards (18:01.76) crossed the line in 13th.

Wharton took fourth with 114 points. Taylor Young (18:20.80) was 16th and Bernie Ayala Turcios (18:47.19) was 21st.

Both teams from Freedom and Wharton will compete in the regional meet at McIntosh Middle in Sarasota Nov. 10 starting at 9 a.m.

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wiregrass Ranch girls soccer team had a breakout season two years ago when the Bulls won 23 games, claimed a district championship and reached the regional finals, all program firsts.

The Bulls (1-0) managed 17 victories when they moved up in classification last season, but came up just short of the seventh-year program’s second playoff berth after falling to Freedom 2-1 in penalty kicks in the Class 4A-District 8 semifinals.

“Depressing, rough, sad,” said senior defender Ashley Murphy. “It was rough.”

Wiregrass Ranch is the only Pasco County school in 4A-8, which also includes Freedom, Steinbrenner, Gaither, Sickles and Chamberlain. The Patriots, Warriors and Cowboys were all coming off playoff appearances when the district was formed before last season, giving the Bulls top-notch competition every night.

“It was a change,” said senior forward Berlin Waters. “We had to realize that it was a lot more competition than we were used to. We adjusted and learned how to play better.”

Part of the learning process was getting used to the more physical brand of soccer played in Hillsborough County.

“It was different because it was the first year playing Hillsborough teams,” said senior defender Lauren Gordon. “I think we adjust well, we just didn’t adjust in time. We tried our hardest, and I think we’ll be better because of it this year. … We won’t be scared.”

First-year Bulls coach Edwin Costa said they plan on using that physical play against their opponents.

“Our defenders who are back are big, strong girls,” said Costa, who has coached soccer for 18 years. “There are a couple upperclassmen who have come in who fit that mold as well. I think if we can, as we say, step up on them and not let the physical game get away from us and gain possession of the ball first we should be fine. Teams can be as physical as they want, but if we hold the ball and move the ball we’re going to wear them down.”

Costa took over the program after Erin Dodd, who coached Wiregrass Ranch the previous two seasons, resigned to pursue a job with a school in Doha, Qatar. Costa said he is working to build a squad that outthinks its opponents as much as it outplays them.

“I haven’t picked my formation yet, but I think we’re going to surprise some people with what we come up with,” Costa said. “I like to say that I’m tactically inclined. That’s my strength. We’re going to have different formations. … We’re trying to hold the ball more instead of just giving the ball up. That’s going to be the main focus is maintaining possession. When teams think we’re going to play up we’ll fall back, and when teams think we’re going to play back we’re going to attack.”

The Bulls shouldn’t have trouble doing either.

On offense, they bring back leading scorer in Waters (23 goals, 10 assists), along with senior midfielder Anne Cypriano (six goals, 12 assists) and senior midfielder Hannah Eder (six goals, six assists).

Wiregrass Ranch also gets a big boost with the return of senior forward A.J. Blount, who scored a single-season program record 40 goals while adding 15 assists two years ago. She missed the entire 2011-12 season while recovering from a torn ACL in her right knee.

The defense returns backliners like Gordon and Murphy, who helped limit the opposition to 15 goals in 22 games. Another big part of that goal prevention is senior goalkeeper Dayton Wetherby, who had 78 saves, 11 shutouts and a goals against average of 0.57 last season.

The unit will have to replace two-year starter Grace Olsen, who opted to focus on volleyball this year. Costa said he is happy with the defenders he has, especially the Gordon-Murphy combo.

“Lauren and me are like sisters, so we work well together,” Murphy said.

Waters pointed out that the team has a lot of experience playing together, especially the eight seniors, which will give them a leg up in pressure games.

“I think we have a chance of being district champions like we were two years ago,” Waters said. “Last year was just, we didn’t know what to expect. Now we do, and we can definitely go pretty far.”

Costa said it’s going to take that kind of conviction to reach their goals.

“The slogan this year is, ‘In order to achieve, you must believe,’” Costa said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, your teammates or me as a coach, then we’re never going to achieve and grow. They want to get to states, and to do that we need to believe and focus on the small things first.”

The Bulls hosted Land O’ Lakes Nov. 5, but results were not available by press time. They play at home against Sunlake Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

Wiregrass Ranch roster

No. Player Pos. Yr.

1 Berlin Waters* F Sr.

3 Lauren  Luzzi M Jr.

4 Stephanie Brady M Jr.

5 Karissa Leist M So.

6 Hannah Eder F Sr.

7 Bethany Sakowski D Jr.

8 Olivia Viera F Jr.

9 Julissa Lawrence M Jr.

10 Laci West D Jr.

12 Dayton Wetherby* GK Sr.

13 A.J. Blount F Sr.

14 Anne Cypriano M Sr.

16 Gabby Bierhorst D So.

18 Ashley Murphy D Sr.

19 Camille King M Fr.

20 Chloe Lipovetsky D Fr.

21 Vanessa Jordan F Fr.

22 Taylor Muzik-Eversdijk F So.

23 Lauren Gordon* D Sr.

*Team captain

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Land O’ Lakes girls soccer team has made the playoffs 12 of the last 13 seasons, but something is a little different as the squad enters this year.

For the first time in nine seasons, the Gators (1-2) are a defending district champion. They won the Class 3A-District 7 crown, the program’s first district title since 2003, while going 14-7-3.

“The best thing was that they really worked for it,” said Vicky King, the only coach in the program’s 26-year history. “They had to work for it, so it meant so much to them. They know how long it’s been, so it was like, wow, we did something no one expected us to do, and teams that came before us that were maybe noted as better teams couldn’t do.”

Being a defending district champ does come with some outside expectations, but junior midfielder Georgia Allen said it doesn’t change much internally.

“I feel like people expect us to go farther than we did last year, but the thing is we always want to go far,” Allen said. “It’s not like it’s more pressure on us because we always want to make the playoffs and win in the playoffs.”

King said the program’s history makes them a target no matter what they did the year before.

“It wouldn’t matter if we are a defending district champs or anything else,” King said. “Whenever someone comes to play us because of our tradition, they play their best. It’s hard to ask 16-, 17-, 18-year-olds to play their best every day, but that’s what we look for. We have a large squad this year, and if someone is having a bad day someone else can come in and play for them.”

Land O’ Lakes’ title run came while replacing 13 seniors from the year before.

“People didn’t think that we were going to be good,” said junior midfielder/forward Catherine Gray. “They expected us to lose and not go far, but we proved them wrong.”

One of the biggest tasks last year was remaking the defense.

The Gators had only one returning backline starter last season, Kelsee Larson. Almost no one else had ever played defense with the program before.

King moved a couple players back, worked in some younger ones and added Holly Nasello, whose family moved from Jacksonville, to the backline.

“Mitsy Audate and Holly are still in the back, and we’ve got some players who will complement them,” King said. “We’ve got a little bit of experience there, and the other players we’ll put back there have a lot of playing experience. Not a lot of high school experience, but a lot of high level club.”

Nasello, a senior, said having a good number of the defenders back will help early on.

“Last year we didn’t know how to work together as a defense at the very start, but we got it pretty quick,” Nasello said. “We lost two of our defenders, but, yeah, we do have a lot of the defenders back, so we should have a little bit of an easier time with that.”

The defense also benefits from the return of senior goalkeeper Arie Bailey (146 saves, 13 shutouts).

Last season, Bailey took over in net for Tara Marshall, who was not only a four-year starter, but is also Bailey’s first cousin. The current goalkeeper, whose parents are Land O’ Lakes graduates, knew all about the program’s tradition years before attending the school.

“I’m definitely more confident then I was at this time last year,” Bailey said. She added, “It was great, but I was really scared that I was going to mess up the tradition. It was exciting to help them win districts.”

The squad does lose seven seniors from last year, with some of the biggest departures coming up top.

Gone are leading scorers Alyssa Lonsway (11 goals, three assists) and Arielle Le-Tran (nine goals, six assists), and senior Alexa Satmary (five goals, one assist) decided not to play this season.

Among those who will be looked to for scoring this year will likely be Gray (eight goals, seven assists) and junior Brooke Silvest (three goals). Silvest pointed out that there were question marks up top entering last season too, as Lonsway was primarily a defender before her senior year and Le-Tran was coming off a torn ACL in her left knee.

“We did lose Arielle and Alyssa, and they were really good at scoring,” Silvest said. “The thing is going into last year we didn’t even know Alyssa would be playing offense, and then Arielle hurt her knee the year before. … I think we have some players who can really help fill in for the goals they scored last year.”

King agreed: “We got some new girls and young girls who appear to be attack minded, and not afraid to go to the goal. We always try to push numbers up.”

The offense will also benefit from a number of returning midfielders to set up the attack, such as Allen.

“We all have to try hard to replace the scoring from Alyssa and Arielle,” Allen said. “When we see a chance to score we have to take it, and when we see an open pass we need to make it.”

The 3A-7 tournament is at Wesley Chapel Jan. 15 to 18, with the final on Jan. 18 at 7 p.m.

The Gators traveled to Wiregrass Ranch Nov. 5, but results were not available by press time. They host district rival Wesley Chapel Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

Land O’ Lakes roster

No. Player Yr.

00 Ariana Bailey Sr.

0 Hannah Miller Sr.

1 Maci Galan Fr.

2 Colby Batchelor Jr.

3 Holly Nasello Sr.

5 Caitlin Matthews Fr.

6 Lindsay Pearl Jr.

7 Marissa Lewis Sr.

8 Sarah Dowler Sr.

9 Georgia Allen Jr.

10 Zoe Pointer So.

11 Lacy Nasello Fr.

12 Ashliegh Williams Sr.

13 Lauren Arrabito So.

14 Sotiria Tsilionis Fr.

15 Raquel Villareal Jr.

16 Catherine Gray Jr.

17 Sarah Smith Jr.

18 Makenzie Fish So.

19 Kameryn Kailimai So.

20 Mitsy Audate So.

22 Savanna Ronk Fr.

24 Brooke Silvest Jr.