Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

Keith Fulk took over the men’s soccer program at Saint Leo University (SLU) less than two months ago, and the squad has not missed a beat.

The Lions are 5-3, with one loss to No. 1 ranked Rollins College 2-1 in double overtime. Fulk said he knew SLU had talent when he watched the team play a pair of exhibitions during the summer.

“When the opportunity came I was very excited to get back to collegiate soccer and excited to work with our athletic director Mr. (Francis) Reidy, but the icing on the cake was I saw these kids, and they are very talented,” Fulk said. “I respect what Joel (Harrison) did here getting a lot of talented soccer players. I’m very excited to get the chance to mold them.”

Fulk replaces Harrison, who resigned in May, citing “exciting changes taking place in (his) personal life.” Harrison was 69-40-6 in seven years with the Lions, including a 9-6 record last season.

Fulk is no stranger to collegiate soccer, as he guided West Virginia to the 2001 NCAA Division I men’s national championship.

He left the college ranks to join the coaching staff for the U.S. national team from 2002-10, coaching in four youth World Cups. Fulk spent the last nine months with IMG Academy in Sarasota.

“It was a passion and a dream to be part of representing your country,” Fulk said. “The main thing I missed about college soccer is you have young men for four years. You can really mold their lives.”

The Lions’ fast start has earned them No. 24 status according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), but the squad does not make a habit of checking out the number that precedes SLU.

“We don’t try to look so much at the rankings,” said sophomore defender Michael Panter, a Freedom High graduate. “We just try to play the game. If we’re ranked that’s great. If we’re not we just keep playing our game.”

Most Lions said it is much easier to play their game because of the positive attitude Fulk has brought to the program, including junior defensive midfielder Daniel Valdez.

“He gives us a lot of confidence and he really knows soccer,” said Valdez, a Wesley Chapel High graduate. “He helps us stay calm. In the games he tells you if you do something wrong, but he keeps you positive. When it’s positive you can improve, because you don’t have the pressure on you. … We actually are playing so much better than last year, and I think the team is still going up.”

Valdez attended the University of South Florida as a freshman, but kept all four years of eligibility.

Valdez decided to come to SLU because it gave him a better chance to see the field regularly and allowed him to play in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) against top competition. The story was similar for freshman midfielder Bruno Da Silva.

“I was debating between Saint Leo and the University of Tampa, but I got a good look at both, and I thought the way Saint Leo plays is more to my style,” Da Silva said.

The SSC has four of the top-25 teams in the nation: No. 1 Rollins, No. 9 Barry University, No. 16 Lynn University and No. 24 SLU. The Lions were ranked No. 8 at one point last year, but were knocked out of the first round of the conference tournament by Florida Tech University.

“I think it’s the best Division II conference in the country, and we all expect to come in and have to work hard,” Fulk said. “They’ve got the talent, and I’ve inherited these kids, so I think we just had to change a little bit of their mentality. Letting them know that being average is not good enough.”

Fulk does not have any predictions for how far the team can go this year but did stress they have the talent to make a deep postseason run. His message of hard work and confidence also appears to be sinking in.

“It’ll be tough, but I think if we put in all the work we will be able to win the conference,” Panter said. He then added, “Go Lions.”

SLU hosts Palm Beach Atlantic University on Tuesday, Oct. 4 before taking on SSC rival Lynn at home on Saturday, Oct. 8. Both games start at 7 p.m.

By Kyle LoJacono

The Steinbrenner volleyball team went 4-0 en route to claiming the Fivay Volleyball Classic.

The Warriors (14-3) defeated Nature Coast 25-13, 25-23 in the finals on Oct. 1, capping off a week that saw the Lutz school win six matches.

“It was the first time we’ve played a tournament in Pasco since the Anclote Tournament our first year,” said Steinbrenner coach Jennifer Graham. “We had a break in our schedule, so we wanted to play in a tournament with good competition and against teams we’re not used to.”

The Warriors, the only Hillsborough County squad in the event, had a height advantage against Nature Coast (16-1) on the front line, especially with 5-foot-11 Miranda Powell and 5-foot-9 Madison Seuzeneau. The two put down 10 kills apiece in the title match.

“Nature Coast was awesome, and we tried to keep the ball away from their big hitters with our serving,” Graham said. “We had some good passing and we were able to run our fast offense.”

Natalia Campos and Powell each had six digs in the finals for Steinbrenner. Powell also added six aces.

The Warriors defeated Lecanto and Wesley Chapel before defeating Mitchell 25-20, 25-22 in the semifinals. Seuzeneau had 10 kills against the Mustangs, while Powell had nine.

All of Graham’s players go playing time at the event.

“That was great because it preps some of the younger girls for next year,” Graham said. “It’s tough to get everybody in when you have a tough schedule, so this was a great opportunity. … Miranda’s sister Madison got in to play some defense and she’s a little fire cracker. She gave us real energy.”

It is the first tournament title for Steinbrenner since winning the Anclote event in 2009.

“I was proud of my girls,” Graham said. “It’s great for them to bring home a trophy.”

By Eugenio Torrens

Steinbrenner volleyball coach Jennifer Graham warned her players’ parents there might be some late matches because of the stiff competition her team was going to face this season.

The Warriors’ contest against Wharton (11-2) on Sept. 27 appeared like one of those matches, but Steinbrenner (14-3) made quick work of the Wildcats, dismissing them 25-12, 25-14, 25-11.

“Every single person on the court did their job,” Graham said. “Not a lot of ups and downs, which is what we’re used to. It was just solid play.”

Warriors senior outside hitter Miranda Powell had a team-high 15 kills, while senior libero Cary Anne Bame led the way with 17 digs.

Graham praised Powell for playing with her head instead of just smacking the ball around.

“That was by far her smartest game she’s ever played,” Graham said. “It’s not about kill, kill, kill — it’s about putting the ball in certain spots.”

Powell laughed in agreement when she heard Graham’s thoughts.

“I tried to play better decisions, because this is a better team, and they’re very good defensively — you just have to find their spots,” Powell said. “I was not expecting to dominate as well as we did.”

It was the second win against stiff competition, as Steinbrenner defeated Durant on the road in a five-set match the previous night.

Sophomore setter Casey McLean said they knew the Wildcats had defeated Durant previously and used that as motivation. The fact that some girls on Steinbrenner and Wharton know each other from club volleyball was added incentive.

“One of our main, main goals tonight that coach Graham said was to focus,” McLean said. “No matter who you’re playing — if it’s your friend, if you have no clue who they are — you treat them completely as equal. It’s all business. After, it’s fun to beat your friends.”

Wharton coach Eric Barber didn’t enjoy himself as much as the Warriors. It was only the second loss for his team, though both came in straight sets. He said his Wildcats had trouble with Steinbrenner’s serving.

“They served lasers at us, and our girls just didn’t pass the ball,” Barber said. “It’s hard to win games when you can’t pass the ball and service receive.”

Steinbrenner hosted Chamberlain on Oct. 3, but results were not available at press time. The Warriors travels to Gaither on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Wharton hosts Newsome on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Both matches start at 7:30 p.m.

By Eugenio Torrens

The Carrollwood Day (CDS) football team took an early lead against Class 2A-District 5 rival Admiral Farragut (AFA), but the Bluejackets came back thanks to power running to win 49-41 on Sept. 30.

The Patriots (3-2) went ahead 22-0 after the first quarter behind all-purpose threat Robert Davis. The junior tallied 296 rushing yards on 19 carries, added a 98-yard kickoff return and finished with five total touchdowns.

AFA (4-1) started running the ball more after the first quarter and wore down CDS — whose players mainly play both offense and defense.

Leading the way for the Bluejackets was running back Todd Macon. The junior knew he had to step up his game when teammate Cortavious Green’s season ended after tearing his ACL.

“They always told me, you’re in somebody’s shadow,” said Macon. “I had to get out of that shadow.”

He got out of that shadow to the tune of 252 yards rushing yards and four touchdowns.

“When you get down that big, you just got to take it one play at a time,” AFA coach Chris Miller said. “We fought and clawed our way back into this game.”

CDS got on the board first when quarterback Deuce Gruden ran in from 10 yards out, and Davis busted loose on a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of its next possession.

The Bluejackets offense continued to stall, and a fumble recovered by Patirot Kalle Wilwant gave CDS great field position. Davis scored on a 1-yard run.

Things continued to get worse for the Bluejackets when Davis picked off a ball in the end zone.

“That’s probably my best play of the game,” Davis said. “It felt so good. Not many interceptions come my way.”

The Patriots were unable to capitalize and gave the ball back, punting from their own 5-yard line and setting up AFA with good field position.

Napoleon Maxwell carried the ball twice for 27 yards to breathe some life into the Bluejackets offense. He finished with 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Davis responded with a 55-yard run to put his team up 28-7.

With just more than five minutes left in the first half, AFA scored a string of three touchdowns.

Davis sandwiched halftime with a 98-yard kickoff return and a 73-yard touchdown run to start the third quarter.

“Their running back, Davis, is an absolute man,” Miller said. “I told him I can’t wait to watch him play football on Saturdays, because he’s going to have a special career.”

Macon continued to pound the ball, finishing with 145 yards after halftime. His last score was a 37-yard run that gave his team the winning cushion.

“We knew our season was on the line, and we didn’t want our season to be over, so we gave it our all,” Macon said.

Davis’ numbers served him no consolation in the loss.

“That’s the most heart-breaking thing you’ll ever go through playing football,” Davis said. “You have good games, you have horrible games, but when you’re up and you lose something like that, it takes a little part out of you. It makes you never want to lose again.”

CDS travels to Canterbury on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.

By Kyle LoJacono

The Sunlake football team passed one of its toughest early season tests by handling Class 6A-District 6 rival Mitchell 35-7 on the road on Sept. 30.

“I’m pleased with the way we performed, but we have to think about the next game,” said Seahawks coach Bill Browning. “We’ve got some things to improve on if we’re going to get to where we want to be.”

Senior quarterback Cameron Stoltz went 9-of-15 passing for 197 yards and four touchdowns, while adding an 18-yard scoring run to Sunlake’s offensive attack.

The Seahawks (4-0) got on the board first when senior running back Rashaud Daniels caught a 45-yard strike from Stoltz. Sophomore wide receiver Ricardo Williams hauled in scoring catches of 52 and 51 yards.

The Sunlake defense added a safety when senior lineman Paul Scott sacked Mitchell (3-2) quarterback Spencer Whittaker in the Mustang end zone in the second half.

Sunlake was one play away from recording its third shutout of the season, but Mitchell sophomore running back Christian Trinidad broke a 50-yard touchdown run on the game’s final play. The Seahawks defense did limit the Mustangs to 182 yards, none passing.

Sunlake next travels for a district contest at Nature Coast on Friday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

By Kyle LoJacono

The Gaither boys golf team may have started with six-over for the season, but the Cowboys have come on strong during the second half of the year as the district tournament approaches.

“Our goal right now is to get the team a few more wins,” said junior and No. 1 golfer Jimmy Stanger. “That way we can have some momentum going into districts and ride that to regionals and hopefully states. That’s the goal.”

Gaither (2-6) has had to replace two of its top-three players from last year’s squad that finished as the Class 2A-District 10 runner-up and placed third in regionals. The Cowboys lost Josh Black and Shawn Sirignano to graduation.

Gaither does return Stanger, Clyde Meadows and Patrick Highland, who were all in the squad’s top five last year and also have a growing confidence in their ability to play together.

“We have absolutely improved phenomenally, and we’ve grown as a team,” Meadows, a junior, said. “There is something to be said for being out here all the time working to get better for each other, and I think it has shown in how we are as a team.”

Highland, a sophomore, said he has seen a stronger will to win each match during the last few weeks.

“We are so much better,” Highland said. “We’ve been hanging in matches a lot better, and we’re more comfortable with each other.”

The three returning players have also had to take on more of a leadership role on the young Cowboys squad, which has only one senior that has played in a match this season.

“I’m trying to be more of a leader,” Meadows said. “I do feel very responsible for this team. It’s my job to keep them in line and focused, which is very hard to do. Patrick is another key leader, along with Jimmy.”

Gaither finished as the district runner-up last year behind tournament host King. Stanger posted a 77, tied for first through regulation but lost in a playoff. District and regional tournaments are played through nine holes.

The Cowboys finished two shots away from second place in the regional tournament, just missing a spot in the 2A state event. Stanger shot a 75 at regionals to come in fifth, but only the top-two players not on an advancing team qualify for the individual finals.

“I wanted to win districts, but honestly not making it to states drove me more,” Stanger said. “Our team missed qualifying for states by two strokes, and I missed making it as an individual by two. It’s kind of like if I would have made it, then our team would have made it. I’ve thought about that a lot.”

Stanger said he has worked on his swing during the offseason to hit more fairways and greens to take his game to the next level. Three-year Gaither coach Dwayne Olinger said he has seen steady improvement in all of his players during the season and feels a strong showing at districts is possible.

“If they all keep getting better in every match and every practice, then hopefully a couple guys can surprise you,” Olinger said. “Bottom line is we need to have at least two other kids shoot under 80 apart from Jimmy. If we do that, then we have a chance.”

Districts are on Monday, Oct. 17 at Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, 200 Inverness Ave., starting at 10 a.m.

–All results as recorded by the Florida High School Athletic Association.

The Wiregrass Ranch boys and girls cross country teams continued their appearances on meet leader boards at the Gator Invitational at Crews Lake Park on Oct. 1.

The boys took first at the meet with 69 points, besting second place Nature Coast’s 92. Land O’ Lakes took sixth, Sunlake came in 12th and Wesley Chapel posted an 18th-place performance.

The Bulls girls’ 81 points made them runner-up to Riverview’s 63. Steinbrenner finished in sixth, Land O’ Lakes took 17th and Sunlake and Wesley Chapel claimed 18th and 20th, respectively.

Land O’ Lakes’ Travis Nichols led the way individually for local boys, coming in third in 16:21. The sophomore finished just 5 seconds behind winner Argishti Gazari, from Anclote. Fellow Gator Tyler Stahl’s 16:52 put him in ninth place. Sunlake’s Kenneth Fessel posted a 17:09 to claim 16th.

Bulls runners Ermias Bireda and Sam Hippely finished right behind Nichols, posting 16:31 and 16:34, respectively. Wiregrass Ranch’s Tyler Mattera, David Hill and Ben Hall crossed the finish line 19th through 21st, respectively.

For the girls, the Bulls’ Nikita Shah finished in 18:59 to take third place behind Gulf’s Kari Grippo’s winning performance of 18:09. Also in the top 20 for Wiregrass Ranch was 14th-place Chelsea Davis’ 20:48, 15th-place Elise Cedre’s 20:59 and 20th-place Berlin Waters’ 21:18.

Steinbrenner’s Lauren Garris finished in fifth in 19:52.

–Kyle LoJacono